




the: pilot 


A T/=ILE OF THE SEA . 




J.TEfYIMORE COOPER 

»» 


KEW ED. 


5 

) * * 
* 0 
0 ) > 

* n * 


CTRlRGER ^ND TOWKOErxD 

new York 

1^57 






V. 


\ 

TO " 

WILLIAM BRANFORD SHUBRICK, 

ESQUIRE, 


MASTER COM. U. S. NAVY. 


MV DEAR SHUBRICK, 

Each vear causes some new and melan- 
* 

choly chasm in what is now the brief list of 
my naval friends and former associates. — 
War, disease, and the casualties of a ha- 
zardous profession, have made fearful in- 
roads in the limited number ; while the 
places of the dead are supplied by names 
that to me are strangers. With the conse- 
quences of these sad changes before me, I 
cherish the recollection of those with whom 


4 


DEDICATION. 


1 once lived in close familiarity with pecu- 
liar interest, and feel a triumph in their 
growing reputations, that is but hide short 
of their own honest pride. 

But neither time nor separeiion have 
shaken our intimacy : and I know that in 
dedicating to you these volumes, I tell you 
nothing new, when I add, that it is a tribute 
paid to an enduring friendship, by 

Your old messmate, 


THE AUTHOR. 


PREFACE. 


The privileges of the Historian and of the wri- 
ter of Romances are very different, and it be- 
hooves them equally to respect each other’s rights. 
The latter is permitted to garnish a probable fic- 
tion, while he is sternly prohibited from dwelling 
on improbable truths ; but it is the duty of the for- 
mer to record facts as they have occurred, with- 
out a reference to consequences, resting his repu- 
tation on a firm foundation of realities, and vindi- 
cating his integrity by his authorities. How far 
and how well the Author has adhered to this dis- 
tinction between the prerogatives of truth and fic- 
tion, his readers must decide ; but he cannot for- 
bear desiring the curious inquirers into our annals 
to persevere, until they shall find good poetical 
authority for every material incident in this veri- 
table legend. 

As to the Critics, he has the advantage of in 
eluding them all in that extensive class, which is 
known by the sweeping appellation of “ Lubbers.” 
If they have common discretion, they will beware 
of exposing their ignorance. 


6 


PREFACE. 


If, however, some old seaman should happen to 
detect any trifling anachronisms in marine usages, 
or mechanical improvements, the Author begs 
leave to say to him, with a proper deference for 
his experience, that it was not so much his inten- 
tion to describe the customs of a particular age, as 
to paint those scenes which belong only to the 
ocean, aad to exhibit, in his imperfect manner, a 
few traits of a people, who, from the nature of 
things, can never be much known. 

He will probably be told, that Smollet has 
done all this before him, and in a much better man- 
ner. It will be seen, however, that, though he 
has navigated the same sea as Smollet, he has 
steered a different course ; or, in other words, 
that he has considered what Smollet has paint- 
ed as a picture which is finished, and which is 
not to be daubed over by every one who may 
choose to handle a pencil on marine subjects. 

The Author wishes to express his regret, that 
the daring and useful services of a great portion 
of our marine in the old war should be suffered to 
remain in the obscurity under which it is now bu- 
ried. Every one has heard of the victory of the 
Bon-Homme Richard, but how little is known of 
the rest of the life, and of the important services 
of the remarkable man who commanded in our 
behalf, in that memorable combat. How little is 
known of his actions with the Milford and the 
Solebay ; of his captures of the Drake and Tri- 


PREFACE. 


1 


umph ; and of his repeated and desperate projects 
to carry the war into the c island home 5 of our 
powerful enemy. Very many of the officers who 
served in that contest were to be found, after- 
wards, in the navy of the confederation ; and it is 
fair to presume that it owes no small part of its 
present character to the spirit that descended from 
the heroes of the revolution. 

One of the last officers reared in that schoo* 
died, not long since, at the head of his profession ; 
and now, that nothing but the recollection of their 
deeds remains, we should become more tenacious 
of their glory. 

If his book has the least tendency to excite 
some attention to this interesting portion of our 
history, one of the objects of the writer will be 
accomplished. 

The Author now takes his leave of his readers, 

* 

wishing them all happiness. 



THE PILOT. 


CHAPTER I. 

“ Sullen waves, incessant rolling 
Rudely dash against her sides.” 

Song 

A single glance at the map will make the read- 
er acquainted with the position of the eastern coast 
of the Island of Great I ritain, as connected with 
the shores of the opposite continent. Together 
they form the boundaries of the small sea that has 
for ages been known to the world as the scene of 
maritime exploits, and as the great avenue through 
which commerce and war have conducted the 
fleets of the northern nations of Europe. Over 
this sea the islanders long asserted a jurisdiction, 
exceeding that which reason concedes to any pow- 
er on the highway of nations, and which frequent 
iy led to conflicts that caused an expenditure ol 
blood and treasure, utterly disproportioned to the 
advantages that can ever arise from the mainte- 
nance of a useless and abstract right. It is across 
the waters of this disputed ocean that we shall at- 
tempt to conduct our readers, selecting a period 
for our incidents that has peculiar interests for 
every American, not only because it was the birth- 


10 


THE PILOT. 


day of his nation, but because it was also the era 
when reason and common sense began to take 
place of custom and feudal practices in the ma- 
nagement of the affairs of nations. 

o t 11# 

Soon after the events of the revolution had in- 
volved the kingdoms of France and Spain, and the 
republics of Holland, in our quarrel, a group of la- 
bourers was collected in a field that lay exposed 
to the winds of the ocean, on the north-eastern 
coast of England. These men were lightening 
their toil, and cheering the gloom of a day in De- 
cember, by uttering their crude opinions on the 
political aspects of the times. The fact that Eng- 
land was engaged in a war with some of her de- 
pendencies on the other side of the Atlantic, had 
long been known to them, after the manner that 
faint rumours of distant and uninteresting events 
gain on the ear ; but now that nations, with whom 
she had been used to battle, were armed against 
her in the quarrel, the din of war had disturbed 
the quiet even of these secluded and illiterate rus- 
tics. The principal speakers, on the occasion, 
were a Scotch drover, who was waiting the lei- 
sure of the occupant of the fields, and an Irish la- 
bourer, who had found his way across the channel, 
and thus far over the island, in quest of employ- 
ment. 

u The Nagurs would’nt have been a job at all 
for ould England, letting alone Ireland , 55 said the 
latter, u if these French and Spanishers hadn’t 
been troubling themselves in the matter. I 5 m 
sure it’s but little reason I have for thanking them, 
ijjta man is to kape as sober as a praist at mass, for 
rear he should find himself a souldier, and he know- 
ing nothing about the same .’ 5 

“ Hoot ! mon ! ye ken but little of raising an 
airmy in Ireland, if ye mak 5 a drum o 5 a whiskey 


THE PILOT. 


11 


keg,” said the drover, winking to the listeners. 
u Noo, in the north, they ca’ a gathering of the 
folk, and follow the pipes as graciously as ye wad 
journey kirkward o’ a Sabbath morn* I’ve seen 
a’ the names o’ a Heeland raj’ment on a sma’ bi 
paper, that ye might cover w T i’ a leddy’s hand. 
They war’ a’ Camerons and M c Donalds, thougn 
they paraded sax hundred men ! But what ha’ ye 
gotten here ! That chield has an ow’r liking to the 
land for a seafaring body ; an’ if the bottom o’ the 
sea be ony thing like the top o’t, he’s in gr’at dan- 
ger o’ a ship wrack !” 

This unexpected change in the discourse drew 
all eyes on the object towards which the staff of 
the observant drover was pointed. To the utter 
amazement of every individual present, a small 
vessel was seen moving slowly round a point of 
land that formed one of the sides of the little bay, 
to which the field the labourers were in composed 
the other. There was something very peculiar in 
the externals of this unusual visiter, which added 
in no small degree to the surprise created by her 
appearance in that retired place. None but the 
smallest vessels, and those rarely, or, at long inter- 
vals, a desperate smuggler, were ever known to 
venture so close to the land, amid the sand-bars 
and sunken rocks with which that immediate coast 
abounded. The adventurous mariners who now 
attempted this dangerous navigation in so wanton, 
and, apparently, so heedless a manner, were in a 
low, black schooner, whose hull seemed utterly 
disproportioned to the raking masts it upheld,, 
which, in their turn, supported a lighter set of 
spars, that tapered away until their upper extremi- 
ties appeared no larger than the lazy pennant, that 
in vain endeavoured to display its length in the 
light breeze* 


12 


THE PILOT. 


The short day of that high northern latitude 
was already drawing to a close, and the sun was 
.throwing his parting rays obliquely across the 
waters, touching the gloomy waves here and there 
with streaks of pale light. The stormy winds of 
the German ocean were apparently lulled to rest; 
and, though the incessant rolling of the surge on 
the shore, heightened the gloomy character of the 
hour and the view, the light ripple that ruffled the 
sleeping billows was produced by a gentle air, that 
blew directly from the land. Notwithstanding 
this favourable circumstance, there was something 
threatening in the aspect of the ocean, which was 
speaking in hollow, but deep murmurs, like a vol- 
cano on the eve of an eruption, that greatly height- 
ened the feelings of amazement and dread with 
which the peasants beheld this extraordinary in- 
terruption to the quiet of their little bay. With 
no other sails spread to the action of the air, than 
her heavy mainsail, and one of those light jibs that 
projected far beyond her bows, the vessel glided 
over the water with a grace and facility that seem- 
ed magical to the beholders, who turned their 
wondering looks from the* schooner to each other, 
in silent amazement. At length the drover spoke 
in a low, solemn voice — 

“ He’s a bold chield that steers her ! and if 
that bit craft has wood in her bottom, like the bri- 
gantines that ply between Lon’on and the Frith 
at Leith, he’s in muir danger than a prudent mon 
could wish. Ay ! he’s by the big rock that shows 
his head w T hen the tide runs low, but it’s no mor- 
tal man who can steer long in the road he’s jour- 
neying, and not speedily find land wfi’ w 7 ater a top 
o’t.” 

The little schooner, how r ever, still held her way 
among the rocks and sand-pits, making such slight 


THE PILOT. 


13 


deviations in her course, as proved her to be un- 
der the direction of one who knew his danger, 
until she had entered as far into the bay as pru- 
dence could at all justify, when her canvass was 
gathered into folds, seemingly without the agency 
of hands, and the vessel, after rolling for a few* 
minutes on the long billows that hove in from the 
ocean, swung round in the currents of the tide, 
and was held by her anchor. 

The peasants now began to make their con- 
jectures more freely concerning the character and 
object of their visiter ; some intimating that she 
was engaged in contraband trade, and others that 
her views were hostile, and her business war. A 
few dark hints were hazarded on the materiality 
of her construction, for nothing of artificial forma- 
tion, it was urged, would be ventured by men in 
such a dangerous place, at a time when even the 
most inexperienced landsman was enabled to fore- 
tell the certain gale. The Scotchman, who, to all 
the sagacity of his countrymen, added no small por- 
tion of their superstition, leaned greatly to the lat- 
ter conclusion, and had begun to express this sen- 
timent warily and with reverence, when the child 
of Erin, who appeared not to possess any very 
definite ideas on the subject, interrupted him, by 
exclaiming — 

“ Faith ! there’s two of them ! a big and a lit- 
tle ! sure the bogles of the saa likes good company 
the same as any other Christians ! > 

a Twa !” echoed the drover; u twa ! ill luck 
bides o’ some o’ ye. Twa craft a sailing without 
hand to guide them, in sic a place as this, whar’ 
eyesight is na guid enough to show the dangers, 
bodes evil to a’ that luik thereon. Hoot ! she’s 
na yearling the tither ! Luik, mon ! luik ! she’s 
a gallant boat, and a gi ’at he paused, raised his 

2 


14 


THE PIJ ,OT. 


pack from the ground, and first giving one search- 
ing look at the objects of his suspicions, he nod- 
ded with great sagacity to the listeners, and con- 
tinued, as he moved slowly towards the interior of 
the country, u I should na wonder if she earned 
King George’s commission aboot her ; ’weel, ’weel, 

I wull journey upward to the town, and ha’ a crack 
wi’ the good mon, for they craft have a suspeecious 
aspect, and the sma’ bit thing wu’ld nab a mon 
quite easy, and the big ane wu’ld hold us a’ and • 
no feel we war’ in her.” 

This sagacious warning caused a general move- 
ment in the party, for the intelligence of a hot 
press was among the runiours of the times. The 
husbandmen collected their implements of labour* 
and retired homewards ; and though many a cu- 
rious eye was bent on the movements of the ves- 
sels from the distant hills, but very few of those 
not immediately interested in the mysterious visi- 
ters ventured to approach the little rocky cliffs 
that lined the bay. 

The vessel that occasioned these cautious move- 
ments was a gallant ship, whose huge hull, lofty 
masts, and square yards, loomed in the evening’s 
haze, above the sea, like a distant mountain rising 
from the deep. She carried but little sail, and 
though she warily avoided the near approach to 
the land that the schooner had attempted, the si- 
milarity of their movements was sufficiently appa- 
rent to warrant the conjecture that they were em- 
ployed on the same duty. The frigate, for the 
ship belonged to this class of vessels, floated across 
the entrance of the little bay, majestically in the 
tide, with barely enough motion through the water 
to govern her movements, until she arrived oppo- 
site to the place where her consort lay, when she 
hove up heavily into the wind, squared the enor- 


THE PILOT. 


15 


mous yards on her mainmast, and attempted, in 
counteracting the power of her sails by each other, 
to remain stationary ; but the light air that had at 
no time swelled her heavy canvass to the utmost, 
began to fail, and the long waves that rolled in 
from the ocean, ceased to be ruffled with the breeze 
from the land. The currents and the billows 
were fast sweeping the frigate towards one of the 
points of the estuary, wdiere the black heads of the 
. rocks could be seen running far into the sea, and, 
in their turn, the mariners of the ship dropped an 
anchor to the bottom, and drew her sails in fes- 
toons to the yards. As the vessel swung round to 
the tide, a heavy ensign was raised to her peak, 
and a current of air opening, for a moment, its 
folds, the white field and red cross, that distinguish 
the flag of England, were displayed to view. So 
much, even the w r ary drover had loitered at a dis- 
tance to behold ; but when a boat was launched 
from either vessel, he quickened his steps, obser- 
ving to his wondering and amused companions, that 
u they craft were a’ thegither mair bonny to luik 
on than to abide wiV 5 

A numerous crew manned the barge that was 
lowered from the frigate, which, after receiving an 
officer, with an attendant youth, left the ship, and 
moved with a measured stroke of its oars, directly 
towards the head of the bay. As it passed at a 
short distance from the schooner, a light whale- 
boat, pulled by four athletic men, shot from her 
side, and rather dancing over than cutting through 
the waves, crossed her course with a wonderful 
velocity. As the boats approached each other, 
the men, in obedience to signals from their officers, 
suspended their effc rts, and for a few minutes they 
floated at rest, dui ing which time there was the 
following dialogue s 


! 6 


THE PILOT. 


44 Is the old man mad P’ exclaimed the young 
officer in the whale-boat, when his men had ceased 
rowing ; 44 does he think that the bottom of the 
Ariel is made of iron, and that a rock can’t knock 
a hole in it ! or does he think she is manned with 
alligators, who can’t be drowned !” 

A languid smile played for a moment round the 
handsome features of the young man, who was ra- 
ther reclining than sitting in the stern-sheets of 
the barge, as he replied, 

44 He knows your prudence too well, Captain 
Barnstable, to fear either the wreck of your ves- 
sel, or the drowning of her crew. How near the 
bottom does your keel lie ?” 

44 1 am afraid to sound,” returned Barnstable. 
* 4 1 have never the heart to touch a lead-line when 
1 see the rocks coming up to breathe like so many 
porpoises.” 

44 You are afloat !” exclaimed the other, with a 
vehemence that denoted an abundance of latent 
fire. 

44 Afloat 1” echoed his friend ; 44 ay ! the little 
Ariel would float in air !” As he spoke, he rose 
in the boat, and lifting his leathern sea-cap from 
his head, stroked back the thick clusters of black 
locks which shadowed his sun-burnt countenance, 
while he viewed his little vessel with the compla- 
cency of a seaman who was proud of her qualities. 
44 But it’s close work, Mr. Griffith, when a man 
rides to a single anchor in a place like this, and at 
such a nightfall. What are the orders ?” 

44 I shall pull into the surf and let go a grap 
nel ; you will take Mr. Merry into your # whale- 
boat, and try to drive her through the breakers on 
the beach.” 

44 Beach !” retorted Barnstable; do you call 


THE PILOT. 


17 


a perpendicular rock of a hundred feet in height 
a beach !” 

u We shall not dispute about terms,” said Grif- 
fith, smiling ; “ but you must manage to get on the 
shore ; we have seen the signal from the land, and 
know that the pilot, whom we have so long ex- 
pected, is ready to come off.” 

Barnstable shook his head with a grave air, 
as he muttered to himself, u this is droll naviga- 
tion ; first we run into an unfrequented bay that 
is full of rocks, and sand-pits, and shoals, and 
then we get off our pilot. But how am I to know 
him ?” 

“ Merry will give you the pass- word, and tell 
you where to look for him. I would land myself, 
but my orders forbid it. If you meet with difficul- 
ties, show three oar-blades in a row, and I will 
pull in to your assistance. Three oars on end, and 
a pistol, will bring the fire of my muskets, and the 
signal repeated from the barge will draw a shot 
from the ship.” 

u I thank you, I thank you,” said Barnstable, 
carelessly ; u I believe I can fight my own battles 
against all the enemies we are likely to fall in with 
on this coast. But the old man is surely mad. I 
would — — ” 

“ You would obey his orders if he were here, 
and you will now please to obey mine,” said Grif- 
fith, in a tone that the friendly expression of his 
eye contradicted. “ Pull in, and keep a look out 
for a small man in a drab pee-jacket ; Merry will 
give you the word ; if he answer it, bring him off 
to the barge.” 

The young men now nodded familiarly and 
kindly to each other, and the boy, who was called 
Mr. Merry, having changed his place from the 
barge to the whale-boat, Barnstable threw himself 

2 * 


18 


THE PII.OT. 


into his seat, and making a signal with his hand, 
his men again bent to their oars. The light ves- 
sel shot away from her companion, and dashed in 
boldly towards the rocks ; after skirting the shore 
for some distance in quest of a favourable place, 
she was suddenly turned, and, dashing over the 
broken waves, was run upon a spot where a land- 
ing could be effected in safety. 

In the mean time the barge followed these 
movements, at some distance, with a more mea- 
sured progress, and when the whale-boat was ob- 
served to be drawn up along side of a rock, the 
promised grapnel was cast into the water, and her 
crew deliberately proceeded to get their firearms 
in a state for immediate service. Every thing ap- 
peared to be done in obedience to strict orders 
that must have been previously communicated ; 
♦ for the young man, who has been introduced to 
the reader by the name of Griffith, seldom spoke, 
and then only in the pithy expressions that are 
apt to fall from those who are sure of obedience. 
When the boat had brought up to her grapnel, he 
sunk back at his length on the cushioned seats of 
the barge, and drawing his hat over his eyes in a 
listless manner, he continued for many minutes ap- 
parently absorbed in thoughts altogether foreign 
to his present situation. Occasionally he rose, and 
would first bend his looks in quest of his compa- 
nions on the shore, and then, turning his expres- 
sive eyes towards the ocean, the abstracted and 
vacant air that so often usurped the place of ani- 
mation and intelligence in his countenance, would 
give place to the anxious and intelligent look of 
a seaman gifted with an experience beyond his 
years. His weather-beaten and hardy crew, hav- 
ing made their dispositions for offence, sat in pro- 
found silence, with their hands thrust into the bo- 


THE PILOT. 


38 


corns of their jackets, but with their eyes earnestly 
regarding every cloud that was gathering in the 
threatening atmosphere, and exchanging looks of 
deep care, whenever the boat rose higher than 
usual on one of those long, heavy ground-swells, 
that were heaving in from the ocean with increas- 
ing rapidity and magnitude. 


CHAPTER II. 


“ A horseman’s coat shall hide 

Thy taper shape and comeliness of side ; 

And with a bolder stride and looser air, 

Mingled with men, a man thou must appear.” 

Prior 


When the whale-boat obtained the position we 
have described, the young lieutenant, who, in 
consequence of commanding a schooner, was 
usually addressed by the title of captain, stepped 
on the rocks, followed by the youthful midship- 
man, who had quitted the barge, to aid in the ha- 
zardous duty of their expedition. 

u This is, at best, but a Jacob’s ladder we have 
to climb,” said Barnstable, casting his eyes up- 
wards at the difficult ascent, “and it’s by no means 
certain that we shall be well received, when we 
get up, though we should even reach the top.” 

“ We are under the guns of the frigate,” re- 
turned the boy ; u and you remember, sir, three 
oar blades and a pistol, repeated from the barge, 
will draw her fire.” 

“ Yes, on our own heads. Boy, never be so 
foolish as to trust a long shot. It makes a great 
smoke and some noise, but it’s a terrible uncertain 
manner of throwing old iron about. In such a bu- 
siness as this, I would sooner trust Tom Coffin 
and his harpoon to back me, than the best broad- 


THE PILOT. 


21 


side that ever rattled out of the three decks of a 
ninety gun ship. Come, gather your limbs to- 
gether, and try if you can walk on terra firma. 
Master Coffin .’ 5 

The seaman who was addressed by this dire 
appellation, arose slowly from the place where he 
was stationed as cockswain of the boat, and seem- 
ed to ascend high in air by the gradual evolution 
of numberless folds in his body. When erect, he 
stood nearly six feet and as many inches in his 
shoes, though, when elevated in his most perpen- 
dicular attitude, there was a forward inclination 
about his head and shoulders, that appeared to be 
the consequence of habitual confinement in limited 
lodgings. His whole frame was destitute of the 
rounded outlines of a w r ell-formed man, though his 
enormous hands furnished a display of bones and 
sinews which gave indications of gigantic strength. 
On his head he wore a little, low, brown hat of 
wool, with an arched top, that threw an expres- 
sion of peculiar solemnity and hardness over his 
harsh visage, the sharp prominent features of which 
were completely encircled by a set of black whis- 
kers, that began to be grizzled a little with age. 
One of his hands grasped, with a sort of instinct, 
the staff of a bright harpoon, the lower end of 
which he placed firmly on the rock, as, in obe- 
dience to the order of his commander, he left the 
place, where, considering his vast dimensions, he 
had been established in an incredibly small space. 

As soon as Captain Barnstable received this 
addition to his strength, he gave a few pre- 
cautionary orders to the men in the boat, and 
proceeded to the difficult task of ascending the 
rocks. Notwithstanding the great daring and 
personal agility of Barnstable, he would have 
been completely baffled in this attempt, but for the 


22 


THE PILOT 


assistance he occasionally received from his cock- 
swain, whose prodigious strength, and great length 
of limbs, enabled him to make exertions which it 
would have been useless for most men to attempt. 
When within a few feet of the summit, they availed 
themselves of a projecting rock, to pause for con- 
sultation and breath ; both of which seemed ne - 
cessary for their further movements. 

u This will be but a bad place for a retreat, if 
we should happen to fall in with enemies,” said 
Barnstable. “ Where are we to look for this pi- 
lot, Mr. Merry, or how are we to know him ; and 
what certainty have you that he will not betray 
us ?” 

u The question you are to put to him is written 
on this bit of paper,” returned the boy, as he 
handed the other the word of recognition ; u we 
made the signal on the point of the rock at yon 
headland, but as he must have seen our boat, he 
will follow us to this place. As to his betraying 
us, he seems to have the confidence of Captain 
Munson, who has kept a bright look-out for him 
ever since we made the land.” 

“ Ay,” muttered the lieutenant, “ and I shall 
have a bright look-out kept on him, now we are 
on the land. I like not this business of hugging 
the shore so closely, nor have I much faith in any 
traitor. What think you of it, Master Coffin ?” 
The hardy old seaman, thus addressed, turned 
his grave visage on his commander, and replied 
with a becoming gravity — 

“ Give me a plenty of sea-room, and good can- 
vass, where there is no occasion for pilots at all, 
sir. For my part, I was born on board a chebac- 
eo-man, and never could see the use of more land 
than now and then a small island, to raise a few 
vegetables, and to dry your fish — -I’m sure the 




THE PILOT 23 

sight of it always makes me feel uncomfortable, 
unless we have the wind dead off shore . 55 

u Ah ! Tom, you are a sensible fellow , 55 said 
Barnstable, with an air half comic, half serious. 
u But we must be moving ; the sun is just touch- 
ing those clouds to sea- ward, and God keep us 
from riding out this night at anchor in such a place 
as this ., 55 

Laying his hand on a projection of the rock 
above him, Barnstable swung himself forward, and 
following this movement with a desperate leap or 
two, he stood at once on the brow of the cliff. His 
cockswain very deliberately raised the midship- 
man after his officer, and proceeding with more 
caution, but less exertion, he soon placed himself 
by his side. 

When they reached the level land, that lay 
above the cliffs, and began to inquire, with curious 
and wary eyes, into the surrounding scenery, the 
adventurers discovered a cultivated country, di- 
vided, in the usual manner, by hedges and walls. 
Only one habitation for man, however, and that 
a small dilapidated cottage, stood within a mile of 
them, most of the dwellings being placed as far as 
convenience would permit, from the fogs and damps 
of the ocean. 

“ Here seems to be neither any thing to appre- 
hend, nor the object of our search , 55 said Barnsta- 
ble, when he had taken the whole view in his sur- 
vey ; u I fear we have landed to no purpose, Mr. 
Merry. What say you, long Tom ; see you what 
we want ?” 

u l see no pilot, sir , 55 returned the cockswain ; 
“ but it’s an ill wind that blows luck to nobody ; 
there is a mouthful of fresh meat stowed away 
under that row of bushes, that would make a 
double ration to all hands in the Ariel . 55 



24 


THE PTI.OT . 


The midshipman laughed, as he pointed out to 
Barnstable the object of the cockswain’s solicitude, 
which proved to be a fat ox, quietly ruminating 
under a hedge near them. 

u There’s many a hungry fellow aboard of us,” 
said the boy merrily, “ who would be glad to se- 
cond long Tom’s motion, if the time and business 
would permit us to slay the animal.” 

u It is but a lubber’s blow, Mr. Merry,” return- 
ed the cockswain, without a muscle of his hard 
face yielding, as he struck the end of his harpoon 
violently against the earth, and then made a mo- 
tion towards poising the weapon ; “ let Captain 
Barnstable but say the word, and I’ll drive the iron 
through him to the quick ; I’ve sent it to the 
seizing in many a whale, that hadn’t a jacket of 
such blubber as that fellow wears.” 

“ Pshaw ! you are not on a whaling voyage, 
where every thing that offers is game,” said Barn- 
stable, turning himself pettishly away from the 
beast, as if he distrusted his own forbearance ; 
u but stand fast ! I see some one approaching be- 
hind the hedge. Look to your arms, Mr. Merry 
— the first thing we hear may be a shot.” 

u Not from that cruiser,” cried the thoughtless 
lad ; u he is a younker, like myself, and would 
hardly dare run down upon such a formidable force 
as we muster.” 

u You say true, boy,” returned Barnstable, re- 
linquishing the grasp he held on his pistol. “ He 
comes on with caution, as if afraid. He is small, 
and is in drab, though I should hardly call it a pee- 
jacket — and yet he may be our man. Stand you 
both here, while I go and hail him.” 

As Barnstable walked rapidly towards the hedge, 
that in part concealed the stranger, the latter 
stopped suddenly, and seemed to be in doubt 


THE PILOT. 


25 


X 


whether to advance or to retreat. Before he had 
decided on either, the active sailor was within a 
lew feet of him. 

“ Pray, sir,” said Barnstable, u what water 
have we in this bay ?” 

The slight form of the stranger started, with 
an extraordinary emotion, at this question, and he 
shrunk aside involuntarily, as if to conceal his fea- 
tures, before he answered, in a voice that was 
barely audible — 

u I should think it would be the water of the 
German ocean.” 

u Indeed ! you must have passed no small part 
of your short life in the study of geography, to be 
so well informed,” returned the lieutenant ; “ per- 
haps, sir, your cunning is also equal to telling me 
how long we shall sojourn together, if I make you 
a prisoner, in order to enjoy the benefit of your 
wit ?” 

To this alarming intimation, the youth who was 
addressed made no reply ; but, as he averted his 
face, and concealed it with both his hands, the of- 
fended seaman, believing that a salutary impres- 
sion had been made upon the fears of his auditor, 
was about to proceed with his interrogatories. 
The singular agitation of the stranger’s frame, 
however, caused the lieutenant to continue silent 
a few moments longer, when, to his utter amaze- 
ment, he discovered that what he had mistaken 
for alarm, was produced by an endeavour, on the 
part of the youth, to suppress a violent fit of laugh- 
ter. 

“ Now, by all the whales in the sea,” cried Barn- 
stable, “ but you. are merry out of season, young 
gentlemen. It’s quite bad enough to be ordered 
to anchor in such a bay as this with a storm brew- 


T1IE PILOT. 


2() 

ing before my eyes, without landing to De laughed 
at, by a stripling who has not strength to carry a 
beard if he had one, when I ought to be getting 
an offing for the safety of both body and soul. Rut 
I’ll know more of you and your jokes, if I take 
you into my own mess, and am giggled out of my 
sleep for the rest of the cruise.” 

As the commander of the schooner concluded, 
he approached the stranger, with an air of offering 
some violence, but the other shrunk back from his 
extended arm, and exclaimed, with a voice in 
which real terror had gotten the better of mirth — 
“ Barnstable ! dear Barnstable ! would you 
harm me !” 

The sailor recoiled several feet, at this unex- 
pected appeal, and rubbing his eyes, he threw the 
cap from his head, before he cried — 

u What do I hear ! and what do I see ! There 
lies the Ariel — and yonder is the frigate. Can 
this be Katherine Plowden !” 

His doubts, if any doubts remained, were soon 
removed, for the stranger sunk on the bank at her 
side, in an attitude in which female bashfulness 
was beautifully contrasted to her attire, and gave 
vent to her mirth in an uncontrollable burst of mer- 
riment. 

From that moment, all thoughts of his duty, and 
the pilot, or even of the Ariel, appeared to be ba- 
nished from the mind of the seaman, who sprang to 
her side, and joined in her mirth, though he hard- 
ly knew why or wherefore. 

When the diverted girl had in some degree re- 
covered her composure, she turned to her compa- 
nion, who had sat good-naturedly by her side, con- 
tent to be laughed at, and said — 

u But this is not only silly, but cruel to others. 


THE PILOT. 


v I 


1 owe you an explanation of my unexpected ap- 
pearance, and perhaps, also, of my extraordinary 
attire.” 

“ I can anticipate every thing,” cried Barnsta- 
ble ; “ you heard that we were on the coast, and 
have flown to redeem the promises you made me 
m America. But I ask no more ; the chaplain of 
the frigate — ” 

u May preach as usual, and to as little purpose,” 
interrupted the disguised female ; “ but no nuptial 
benediction shall be pronounced over me, until 1 
have effected the object of this hazardous experi- 
ment. You are not usually selfish, Barnstable; 
would you have me forgetful of the happiness of 
others ?” 

u Of whom do you speak ?” 
a My poor, my devoted cousin. I heard that 
two vessels answering the description of the fri- 
gate and the Ariel, were seen hovering on the 
coast, and I determined at once to have a commu- 
nication with you. I have followed your move- 
ments for a week, in this dress, but have been un- 
successful till now. To-day I observed you to 
approach nearer to the shore than usual, and hap- 
pily, by being adventurous, I have been success 
ful.” 

“ Ay, God knows we are near enough to the 
land ! But does Captain Munson know of your 
wish to get on board his ship ?” 

u Certainly not — none know of it but yourself. 
I thought that if Griffith and you could learn our 
situation, you might be tempted to hazard a little 
to redeem us from our thraldom. In this paper I 
nave prepared such an account as will, I trust, ex- 
cite all your chivalry, and by which you may go- 
vern your movements.” 


28 


THE PILOT 


iC Our movements !” interrupted Barnstable, 
lc you will pilot us in person.” 

u Then there’s two of them !” said a hoarse 
voice near them. 

The alarmed female shrieked as she recovered 
her feet, but she still adhered, with instinctive de- 
pendence, to the side of her lover. Barnstable, 
who recognised the tones of his cockswain, bent an 
angry brow on the sober visage that was peering 
at them above the hedge, and demanded the mean- 
ing of the interruption. 

“ Seeing you were hull-down, sir, and not 
knowing but the chase might lead you ashore, Mr. 
Merry thought it best to have a look-out kept. I 
told him that you were overhauling the mail bags 
of the messenger for the news, but as he was an 
officer, sir, and I nothing but a common hand, I 
did as he ordered.” 

u Return, sir, where 1 commanded you to re- 
main,” said Barnstable, u and desire Mr. Merry to 
wait my pleasure.” 

The cockswain gave the usual reply of an obe- 
dient seaman, but before he left the hedge, he 
stretched out one of his brawny arms towards the 
ocean, and said, in tones of solemnity suited to his 
apprehensions and character — 

u I showed you how to knot a reef-point, and 
pass a gasket, Captain Barnstable, nor do I believe 
you could even take two half-hitches when you 
first came aboard of the Spalmacitty. These be 
things that a man is soon expart in, but it takes the 
time of his nat’ral life to larn to know the weather^ 
There be streaked wind-galls in the offing, that 
speak as plainly, to all that see them, and know 
God’s language in the clouds, as ever you spoke 
through a trumpet, to shorten sail ; besides, sir, 


THE PILOT. 


2D 


don’t you hear the sea moaning, as if it knew the 
hour was at hand when it was to wake up from its 
sleep !” 

u Ay, Tom,” returned his officer, walking to 
the edge of the cliffs, and throwing a seaman’s 
glance at the gloomy ocean, “ ’tis a threatening 
night indeed ; but this pilot must be had — and — ” 
“ Is that the man ?” interrupted the cockswain, 
pointing towards a man who was standing not far 
from them, an attentive observer of their proceed- 
ings, at the same time that he was narrowly watch- 
ed himself by the young midshipman. u God send 
that he knows his trade well, for the bottom of a 
ship will need eyes to find its road out of this wild 
anchorage.” 

u That must indeed be the m«n !” exclaimed 
Barnstable, at once recalled to his duty. He then 
held a short dialogue with his female companion, 
whom he left concealed by the hedge, and pro- 
ceeded to address the stranger. When near enough 
to be heard, the commander of the schooner de- 
manded — 

u What water have you in this bay ?” 

The stranger, who seemed to expect this ques- 
tion, answered without the least hesitation — 

“ Enough to take all out in safety, who have 
entered with confidence.” 

“ You are the man I seek,” cried Barnstable ; 
“ are you ready to go off?” 

“ Both ready and willing,” returned the pilot, 
u and there is need of haste. I would give the 
best hundred guineas that ever were coined, for 
two hours more use of that sun which has left us, 
or for even half the time of this fading twilight ” 
u Think you our situation so bad !” said the 
lieutenant. u Follow this gentleman to the boat 
then ; I will join you by the time you can descend 

3 * 


30 


THE PILOT 


the cliffs. 1 believe I can prevail on another hand 
to go off with us.” 

u Time is more precious now than any number 
of hands,” said the pilot, throwing a glance of im- 
patience from under his lowering brows. u and the 
consequences of delay must be visited on those 
who occasion it.” 

u And, sir, I will meet the consequences with 
those who have a right to inquire into my conduct,” 
said Barnstable, haughtily. 

With this warning and retort, they separated ; 
the young officer retracing his steps impatiently 
towards his mistress, muttering his indignation in 
suppressed execrations, and the pilot, drawing the 
leathern belt of his pee-jacket mechanically around 
his body, as he followed the midshipman and cock- 
swain to their boat, in moody silence. 

Barnstable found the disguised female who had 
announced herself as Katherine Plowden, awaiting 
his return, with intense anxiety depicted on every 
feature of her intelligent countenance. As he felt 
all the responsibility of his situation, notwithstand- 
ing his cool reply to the pilot, the young man has- 
tily drew an arm of the apparent boy, forgetful of 
her disguise, through his own, and led her for- 
ward. 

u Come, Katherine,” he said, u the time urges 
to be prompt.” 

“ What pressing necessity is there for immedi- 
ate departure ?” she inquired, checking his move- 
ments by withdrawing herself from his side. 

u You heard the ominous prognostic of my 
cockswain on the w T eather, and I am forced to add 
my own testimony to his opinion. ? Tis a crazy 
night that threatens us, though I cannot repent of 
coming into the bay, since it has led to this inter- 
view.” 


THE PILOT. 


31 


a God forbid that we should either of us have 
cause to repent of it,” said Katherine, the paleness 
of anxiety chasing away the rich bloom that had 
mantled the animated face of the brunette. “ But 
you have the paper — follow its directions, and 
come to our rescue ; you will find us willing cap- 
tives, if Griffith and yourself are our conquerors.” 
“ What mean you, Katherine !” exclaimed hei 
lover ; u you at least are now in safety — ’twould 
be madness to tempt your fate again. My vessel 
can and shall protect you, until your cousin is re- 
deemed ; and then, remember, I have a claim on 
you for life.” 

“ And how would you dispose of me in the in- 
terval,” said the young maiden, retreating slowly 
from his advances. 

u In the Ariel — by heaven, you shall be her 
commander ; I will bear that rank only in name.” 
u I thank you, thank you, Barnstable, but dis- 
trust my abilities to fill such a station,” she said, 
laughing, though the colour that again crossed 
her youthful features was like the glow of a sum- 
mer’s sunset, and even her mirthful eyes seemed 
to reflect their tints. “ Do not mistake me, saucy 
one. If I have done more than my sex will war- 
rant, remember it was through a holy motive, and 
if I have more than a woman’s enterprise, it must 
be — ” 

“ To lift you above the weakness of your sex,” 
he cried, “ and to enable you to show your noble 
confidence in me.” 

a To fit me for, and to keep me worthy of be- 
ing one day your wife.” As she uttered these 
words, she turned, and disappeared, with a rapidi- 
ly that eluded his attempt to detain her, behind 
an angle of the hedge, that was near them. For 
a moment, Barnstable remained motionless through 


THE PILOT. 


62 

surprise, and when he sprang forward in pursuit, 
he w r as able only to catch a glimspe of her light 
form, in the gloom of the evening, as she again 
vanished in a little thicket at some distance. 

Barnstable was about to pursue, when the air 
lighted with a sudden flash, and the bellowing re- 
port of a cannon rolled along the clifls, and was 
echoed among the hills far inland. 

“ Ay, grumble away, old dotard !” the disap- 
pointed young sailor muttered to himself, while 
he reluctantly obeyed the signal ; “ you are in as 
great a hurry to get out of your danger as you w 7 ere 
to run into it.” 

The quick reports of three muskets from the 
barge beneath where he stood, urged him to quick- 
en his pace, and as he threw himself carelessly 
down the rugged and dangerous passes of the cliff’s, 
his experienced eye beheld the well known lights 
displayed from the frigate, which commanded u the 
recall of all her boats.” 


CHAPTER III. 




In such a timo as this it is not meet, 

That every nice offence should bear its comment. 

Shakspeare. 




The cliffs threw their dark shadows wide on the 
waters, and the gloom of the evening had so fat 
advanced, as to conceal the discontent that brood- 
ed over the ordinarily open brow of Barnstable, as 
he sprang from the rocks into the boat, and took 
his seat by the side of the silent pilot. 

u Shove off,” cried the lieutenant, in tones that 
his men knew must be obeyed. u A seaman’s 
curse light on the folly that exposes planks and 
lives to such navigation ; and all to burn some old 
timber-man, or catch a Norway trader asleep ! give 
way, men, give way.” 

Notwithstanding the heavy and dangerous surf 
that was beginning to tumble in upon the rocks, in 
an alarming manner, the startled seamen succeed- 
ed in urging their light boat over the waves, and 
in a few seconds were without the point where 
danger was most to be apprehended. Barnstable 
had seemingly disregarded the breakers as they 
passed, but sat sternly eyeing the foam that rolled 
by them in successive surges, until the boat rose 
regularly on the long seas, when he turned his 
looks around the bay in quest of the barg;e. 


34 


THE PILOT. 


“ Ay, Griffith has tired of rocking in his pillow- 
ed cradle,” lie muttered, u and will give us a pull 
to the frigate, when we ought to be getting the 
schooner out of this hard-featured landscape. This 
is just such a place as one of your sighing lovers 
would doat on; a little land, a little water, and a 
good deal of rock. Damme, long Tom, but I am 
more than half of your mind, that an island now 
and then is all the terra firma that a seaman 
needs.” 

u It’s reason and philosophy, sir,” returned the 
sedate cockswain ; u and what land there is, should 
always be a soft mud, or a sandy ooze, in order 
that an anchor might hold, and to make soundings 
sartin. I have lost many a deep-sea, besides hand- 
leads, by the dozens, on rocky bottoms ; but give 
me the roadstead where a lead comes up light, and 
an anchor heavy. There’s a boat pulling athwart 
our fore-foot, Captain Barnstable ; shall I run her 
aboard, or give her a birth, sir ?” 

“ ’Tis the barge !” cried the officer ; “ Ned has 
not deserted me after all !” 

A loud hail from the approaching boat confirm- 
ed this opinion, and, in a few seconds, the barge 
and whale-boat were again rolling by each other’s 
side. Griffith was no longer reclining on the cush- 
ions of his seats, but spoke earnestly, and with a 
slight tone of reproach in his manner. 

u Why have you wasted so many precious mo- 
ments, when every minute threatens us with new 
dangers ? I was obeying the signal, but I heard 
your oars, and pulled back to take out the pilot. 
Have you been successful ?” 

“ There he is ; and if he finds his way out, 
through the shoals, he will earn a right to his 
name. This bids fair to be a night when a man 
will need a spy-glass to find the moon. But when 


THE PILOT. 


36 


you hear what I have seen on those rascally cliffs, 
you will be more ready to excuse my delay, Mr. 
Griffith.” 

“ You have seen the true man, I trust, or we 
incur this hazard to an evil purpose.” 

u Ay, I have seen him that is a true man, and 
him that is not,” replied Barnstable, bitterly ; 
“You have the boy with you, Griffith — ask him 
what his young eyes have seen.” 

“ Shall I !” cried the young midshipman, laugh- 
ing ; “ then 1 have seen a little clipper, in disguise, 
outsail an old man-of-n ar’s-man in a hard chase, 
and I have seen a straggling rover in long-togs as 
much like my cousin — ” 

“ Peace, gabbler !” exclaimed Barnstable, in a 
voice of thunder ; “ would you detain the boats 
with your silly nonsense, at a time like this ? 
Away into the barge, sir, and if you find him will- 
ing to hear, tell Sir. Griffith what your foolish 
conjectures amount to, at your leisure.” 

The boy stepped lightly from the whale-boat to 
the barge, whither the pilot had already preceded 
him, and, as he sunk, with a mortified air, by the 
side of Griffith, he said, in a low voice — 

“ And that won’t be long, I know, if Mr. Grif- 
fith thinks and feels on the coast of England as he 
thought and felt at home.” 

A silent pressure of his hand was the only reply 
that the young lieutenant made, before he paid the 
parting compliments to Barnstable, and directed 
his men to pull for their ship. 

The boats were separating, and the plash of the 
oars was already heard, when the voice of the pi- 
lot was for the first time raised in earnest. 
u Hold !” he cried ; “ hold water, I bid ye !” 
The men ceased their efforts, at the command* 


36 


THE PILOT. 


ing tones of his voice, and turning towards the 
whale-boat, he continued — 

u You will get your schooner under-way imme- 
diately, Captain Barnstable, and sweep into the 
offing, with as little delay as possible. Keep the 
ship well open from the northern headland, and as 
you pass us, come within hail.” 

“ This is a clean chart and plain sailing, Mr. Pi- 
lot,” returned Barnstable ; u but who is to justify 
my moving without orders, to Captain Munson ? 
I have it in black and white, to run the Ariel in- 
to this feather-bed sort of a place, and I must at least 
have it by signal or word of mouth from my bet- 
ters, before my cut- water curls another wiave. 
The road may be as hard to find going out as it w 7 as 
coming in — and then I had daylight as w 7 ell as your 
written directions to steer by.” 

u Would you lie there to perish on such a night !” 
said the pilot, sternly. “ Two hours hence, this 
heavy sw 7 eil w 7 ill break where your vessel now 
rides so quietly.” 

“ There we think exactly alike ; but if I get 
drowmed now, I am drowned according to or- 
ders ; whereas, if I knock a plank out of the 
schooner’s bottom, by following your directions, 
’twill be a hole to let in mutiny, as well as sea-wa- 
ter. How do I know but the old man wants an- 
other pilot or two ?” 

“ That’s philosophy,” muttered the cockswain 
of the whale-boat, in a voice that was audible * 
u but it’s a hard strain on a man’s conscience to 
hold on in such an anchorage !” 

u Then keep your anchor dow 7 n, and follow 7 it 
to the bottom,” said the pilot to himself ; “ it’s 
worse to contend w 7 ith a fool than a gale of w ind , 
but if — ” 


THE PILOT. 


3? 


a No. no, sir — no fool neither,” interrupted 
Griffith u Barnstable does not deserve that epi- 
thet, though he certainly carries the point of duty 
to the extreme. Heave up at once, Mr. Barnsta- 
ble, and get out of this bay as fast as possible.” 

“ Ah, you don’t give the order with half the 
pleasure with which I shall execute it ; pull away 
boys — the Ariel shall never lay her bones in such 
a hard bed, if I can help it.” 

As the commander of the schooner uttered these 
words with a cheering voice, his men spontaneous- 
ly shouted, and the whale-boat darted away from 
her companion, and was soon lost in the gloomy 
shadows cast from the cliffs. 

In the mean time, the oarsmen of the barge were 
not idle, but by strenuous efforts they forced the 
heavy boat rapidly through the water, and in a few 
minutes she ran alongside of the frigate. During 
this period the pilot, in a voice which had lost all 
the startling fierceness and authority it had mani- 
fested in his short dialogue with Barnstable, re- 
quested Griffith to repeat to him, slowly, the names 
of the officers that belonged to his ship. When 
the young lieutenant had complied with this re- 
quest, he observed to his companion — 

u All good men and true, Mr. Pilot ; and though 
this business in which you are just now engaged 
may be hazardous to an Englishman, there are 
none with us who will betray you. We need your 
services, and as we expect good faith from you, so 
shall we offer it to you in exchange.” 

“ And how know you that I need its exercise ?” 
asked the pilot, in a manner that denoted a cold 
indifference to the subject. 

“ Why, though you talk pretty good English, 
for a native,” returned Griffith, u yet you have a 
small bur-r-r in your mouth that would prick the 

4 


38 


THE PILOT. 


tongue of a man who was born on the other side 
of the Atlantic.” 

“ It is but of little moment where a man is born, 
or how he speaks,” returned the pilot, coldly, u so 
that he does his duty bravely, and in good faith.” 

It was perhaps fortunate for the harmony of this 
dialogue, that the gloom, which had now increased 
to positive darkness, completely concealed the look 
of scornful irony that crossed the handsome features 
of the young sailor, as he replied — 

“ True, true, so that he does his duty, as you 
say, in good faith. But, as Barnstable observed, 
you must know your road well to travel among 
these shoals on such a night as this. Know you 
what water we draw ?” 

“ ’Tis a frigate’s draught, and I shall endeavour 
to keep you in four fathoms ; less than that would 
be dangerous.” 

“ She’s a sweet boat !” said Griffith ; u and minds 
her helm as a marine watches the eye of his ser- 
geant at a drill ; but you must give her room in 
stays, for she fore-reaches, as if she would put out 
the wind’s eye.” 

The pilot attended, with a practised ear, to this 
description of the qualities of the ship that he was 
about to attempt extricating from an extremely 
dangerous situation. Not a syllable was lost on 
him ; and when Griffith had ended, he remarked, 
with the singular coldness that pervaded his man- 
ner — 

u That is both a good and a bad quality in a nar- 
row channel. I fear it will be the latter, to-night, 
when we shall require to have the ship in leading 
strings.” 

u I suppose we must feel our way with the 
lead said Griffith. 

u We shall need both eyes and leads,” returned 


THE PILOT 


39 


the pilot, lecurring insensibly to his soliloquizing 
tone of voice. “ I have been both in and out in 
darker nights than this, though never with a heavi- 
er draught than a half- two.” 

u Then, by heaven, you are not fit to handle that 
ship among these rocks and breakers !” exclaimed 
Griffith ; “ your men of alight draught never know 
their water ; ’tis the deep keel only, that finds a 
channel — pilot ! pilot ! beware how you trifle with 
us ignorantly ; for ’tis a dangerous experiment to 
play at hazards with an enemy.” 

“ Young man, you know not what you threaten, 
nor whom,” said the pilot, sternly, though his 
quiet manner still remained undisturbed ; “ you 
forget that you have a superior here, and that I 
have none.” 

“ That shall be as you discharge your duty,” 
cried Griffith ; u for if — ” 

“ Peace !” interrupted the pilot, “ we approach 
the ship ; let us enter in harmony.” 

He threw himself back on the cushions, when 
he had said this, and Griffith, though filled with 
the apprehensions of suffering, either by great ig- 
norance, or treachery, on the part of his companion, 
smothered his feelings so far as to be silent, and 
they ascended the side of the vessel in apparent 
cordiality. 


The frigate was already riding on lengthened 
seas, that rolled in from the ocean, at each succes- 
sive moment, with increasing violence, though her 
topsails still hung supinely from her yards ; the 
air, which continued to breathe, occasionally, from 
the land, being unable to shake the heavy canvass 
of which they were composed. 

The only sounds that were audible, when Grif- 
fith and the pilot had ascended to the gangway 


40 


THE PILOT. 


of the frigate, were produced by the sullen dash 
ing of the sea against the massive bows of the 
ship, and the shrill whistle of the boatswain’s 
mate, as he recalled the side-boys, who were 
placed on either side of the gangway, to do ho- 
nour to the entrance of the first lieutenant and his 
companion. 

But though such a profound silence reigned 
among the hundreds who inhabited the huge fa- 
bric, the light produced by a dozen battle lanterns, 
that were arranged in different parts of the decks, 
served not only to exhibit, fail, tly, the persons of 
the crew, but the mingled feeling of curiosity and 
care that dwelt on most of their countenances. 

Large groups of men w T ere collected in the gang- 
ways, around the mainmast, and on the booms of 
the vessel, whose faces w r ere distinctly visible, 
wdiile numerous figures, lying along the lower 
yards, or bending out of the tops, might be dimly 
traced in the back ground, all of whom expressed, 
by their attitudes, the interest they took in the ar- 
rival of the boat. 

Though such crow r ds were collected in other 
parts of the vessel, the quarter-deck was occupied 
only by the officers, who were disposed according 
to their several ranks, and were equally silent and 
attentive as the remainder of the crew. In front 
stood a small collection of young men, who, by 
their similarity of dress, w T ere the equals and com- 
panions of Griffith, though his juniors in rank. On 
the opposite side of the vessel was a larger assem- 
blage of youths, who claimed Mr. Merry as theii 
fellow. Around the capstan, three or four figures 
were standing, one of whom wore a coat of blue, 
with the scarlet facings of a soldier, and anothei 
the black vestments of the ship’s chaplain. Be 


THE PILOT. • 41 

hind these, and nearer the passage to the cabin, 
from which he had just ascended, stood the tall, 
erect form of the commander of the vessel. 

After a brief salutation between Griffith and the 
junior officers, the former advanced, followed slow- 
ly by the pilot, to the place where he was expect- 
ed by his veteran commander. The young man re- 
moved his hat entirely, as he bowed with a little 
more than his usual ceremony, and said — 

u We have succeeded, sir, though not without 
more difficulty and delay than were anticipated.” 

“ But you have not brought off the pilot,” said 
the captain, u and without him, all our risk and 
trouble have been in vain.” 

u He is here,” said Griffith, stepping aside, and 
extending his arm towards the man that stood be- 
hind him, wrapped to the chin in his coarse pee- 
jacket, and his face shadowed by the falling rims 
of a large hat, that had seen much and hard ser- 
vice. 

“ This !” exclaimed the captain ; u then there 
is a sad mistake — this is not the man I would have 
seen, nor can another supply his place.” 

“ I know not whom you expected, Captain Mun- 
son,” said the stranger, in a low, quiet voice ; a but 
if you have not forgotten the day when a very dif- 
ferent flag from that emblem of tyranny that now 
hangs over yon tafferel was first spread to the 
wind, you may remember the hand that raised it.” 
“ Bring here the light !” exclaimed the com- 
mander, hastily. 

When the lantern w r as extended towards, the pi- 
lot, and the glare fell strong on his features, Cap- 
tain Munson started, as he beheld the calm blue 
eye that met his gaze, and the composed but pal- 
lid countenance of the other. Involuntarily raising 

4 * 


42 


THE PILOT. 


his hat, and baring his silver locks, the veteran 
cried — 

u Jt is he ! though so changed — ” 
u That his enemies did not know him,” inter- 
rupted the pilot, quickly ; then touching the other 
by the arm as he led him aside, he continued, in a 
lower tone, “ neither must his friends, until the 
proper hour shall arrive.” 

Griffith had fallen back, to answer the eager 
questions of his messmates, and no part of this 
short dialogue was overheard by the officers, 
though it was soon perceived that their command- 
er had discovered his error, and was satisfied that 
the proper man had been brought on board his ves- 
sel. For many minutes the two continued to pace 
a part of the quarter-deck, by themselves, engaged 
in deep and earnest discourse. 

As Griffith had but little to communicate, the 
curiosity of his listeners was soon appeased, and 
all eyes were directed towards that mysterious 
guide, who was to conduct them from a situation 
already surrounded by perils, which each moment 
not only magnified in appearance, but increased 
in reality. 


CHAPTER IV. 


“ Behold the threaden sails, 

Borne with the invisible and creeping winds, 

Draw the huge bottoms through the furrowed sea, 
Breasting the lofty surge.” * 

Shakspeare. 


It has been already explained to the reader, 
that there were threatening symptoms in the ap- 
pearance of the weather to create serious fore- 
bodings of evil in the breast of a seaman. When 
removed from the shadows of the cliffs, the night 
was not so dark but objects could be discerned at 
some little distance, and in the eastern horizon 
there was a streak of fearful light impending over 
the gloomy waters, in which the swelling outline 
formed by the rising waves was becoming each 
moment more distinct, and, consequently, more 
alarming. Several dark clouds overhung the ves- 
sel, whose towering masts apparently propped the 
black vapour, while a few stars were seen twin- 
kling, with a sickly flame, in the streak of clear 
sky that skirted the ocean. Still, light currents 
of air, occasionally, swept across the bay, bringing 
with them the fresh odour from the shore, but 
their flitting irregularity too surely foretold them 
to be the expiring breath of the land breeze. The 
roaring of the surf, as it rolled on the margin ol 
the bay, produced a dull, monotonous sound, that 


44 


THE PILOT. 


was only interrupted, at times, by a hollow bellow- 
ing, as a larger wave than usual broke violently 
against some cavity in the rocks. Every thing, in 
short, united to render the scene gloomy and por- 
tentous, without creating instant terror, for the 
ship rose easily on the long billows, without even 
straightening the heavy cable that held her to her 
anchor. 

The higher officers were collected around the 
capstan, engaged in earnest discourse about their 
situation and prospects, while some of the oldest 
and most favoured seamen would extend their 
short walk to the hallowed precincts of the quar- 
ter-deck, to catch, with greedy ears, the opinions 
that fell from their superiors. Numberless were 
the uneasy glances that were thrown from both of- 
ficers and men at their commander and the pilot, 
who still continued their secret communion in a 
distant part of the vessel. Once, an ungovernable 
curiosity, or the heedlessness of his years, led one 
of the youthful midshipmen near them, but a stern 
rebuke from his captain sent the boy, abashed and 
cowering, to hide his mortification among his fel- 
lows. This reprimand w T as received by the elder 
officers as an intimation that the consultation which 
they beheld was to be strictly inviolate ; and, 
though it by no means suppressed the repeated ex- 
pressions of their impatience, it effectually pre- 
vented an interruption to the communications, 
which all, however, thought were unreasonably 
protracted for the occasion. 

u This is no time to be talking over bearings 
and distances,” observed the officer next in rank 
to Griffith ; “ but we should call the hands up, and 
try to kedge her off while the sea will suffer a boat 
to live.” 

u ’Twould be a tedious and bootless job to at* 


THE PILOT. 


45 


tert %p\ -warping a ship for miles against a head-beat- 
ing se^," returned the first lieutenant ; u but the 
land-breeze yet flutters aloft, and if our light sails 
would draw, with the aid of this ebb tide we might 
be able to shove her from the shore. 5 ’ 

u Hail the tops, Griffith, 55 said the other, 1 and 
ask if they feel the air above ; ’twill be a hint at 
least to set the old man and that lubberly pilot in 
motion.” 

Griffith laughed, as he complied with the re- 
quest, and when he received the customary reply 
to his call, he demanded, in a loud voice — 

“ Which way have you the wind, aloft ?” 
u We feel a light cat’s-paw, now and then, from 
the land, sir,” returned the sturdy captain of the 
top ; “ but our topsail hangs in the clewdines, sir, 
without winking.” 

Captain Munson and his companion suspended 
their discourse, while this question and answer 
were exchanged, and then resumed their dialogue 
as earnestly as if it had received no interruption. 

a If it did wink, the hint w T ould be lost on our 
betters,” said the officer of the marines, whose ig- 
norance of seamanship added greatly to his percep- 
tion of the danger, but who, from pure idleness, 
made more jokes than any other man in the ship. 
u That pilot will not receive a delicate intimation 
thiough his ears, Mr. Griffith ; suppose you try 
him by the nose.” 

u Faith, there was a flash of gunpowder between 
us in the barge,” returned the first lieutenant, 
kC and he does not seem a man to stomach such 
hints as you advise. Although he looks so meek 
and quiet, I doubt whether he has paid much at- 
tention to the book of Job.” 

u Why should he,” exclaimed the chaplain, 
whose apprehensions at least equalled those of the 


46 


THE PILOT. 


marine, and with a much more disheartening effect, 
“ Pm sure it would have been a great waste of 
time ; there are so many charts of the coast, and 
books on the navigation of these seas, for him to 
study, that I sincerely hope he has been much bet- 
ter employed.” 

A loud laugh was created at this speech, among 
the listeners, and it apparently produced the ef- 
fect that was so long anxiously desired, by putting 
an end to the mysterious conference between their 
captain and the pilot. As the former came for- 
ward towards his expecting crew, he said, in the 
composed, steady manner, that formed the princi- 
pal trait in his character — 

u Get the anchor, Mr. Griffith, and make sail on 
the ship ; the hour has arrived when we must be 
moving.” 

The cheerful u ay ! ay ! sir !” of the young 
lieutenant was hardly uttered, before the cries of 
half a dozen midshipmen were heard summoning 
the boatswain and his mates to their duty. 

There was a general movement in the living 
masses that clustered around the mainmast, on the 
booms, and in the gangways, though their habits 
of discipline held the crew a moment longer in 
suspense. The silence w 7 as first broken by the 
sound of the boatswain’s whistle, followed by the 
hoarse cry of a all hands, up anchor, ahoy !” — the 
former rising on the night air, from its first low, 
mellow notes, to a piercing shrillness, that gradu- 
ally died away on the waters ; and the latter bel- 
lowing through every cranny of the ship, like the 
hollow murmurs of distant thunder. 

The change produced by the customary sum- 
mons was magical. Human beings sprang out from 
between the guns, rushed up the hatches, threw 
themselves with careless activity from the booms, 


THE PILOT. 


47 


and gathered from every quarter so rapidly, that, 
in an instant, the deck of the frigate was alive with 
men. The profound silence, that had hitherto 
been only interrupted by the low dialogue of the 
officers, was now exchanged for the stern orders 
of the lieutenants, mingled with the shriller cries 
of the midshipmen, and the hoarse bawling of the 
boatswain’s crew, rising above the tumult of pre- 
paration and general bustle. 

The captain and the pilot alone remained pas- 
sive, in this scene of general exertion ; for appre- 
hension had even stimulated that class of officers 
which is called u idlers,” to unusual activity, though 
frequently reminded by their more experienced 
messmates, that instead of aiding, they retarded, 
the duty of the vessel. The bustle, how r ever, 
gradually ceased, and, in a few minutes, the same 
silence pervaded the ship as before. 

u We are brought-to, sir,” said Griffith, who 
stood overlooking the scene, holding in one hand 
a short speaking trumpet, and grasping, with the 
other, one of the shrouds of the ship, to steady 
himself in the position he had taken on a gun. 
u Heave round, sir,” was the calm reply. 

“ Heave round !” repeated Griffith, aloud. 
u Heave round !” echoed a dozen eager voices 
at once, and the lively strains of a fife struck up a 
brisk air, to enliven the labour. The capstan was 
instantly set in motion, and the measured tread of 
the seamen was heard, as they stamped the deck 
in the circle of their march. For a few minutes, 
no other sounds were heard, if we except the voice 
of an officer, occasionally, cheering the sailors, 
when it was announced, that they “ were short ;” 
or, in other words, that the ship was nearly over 
her anchor. 

u Heave and pall,” cried Griffith ; when the 


48 


THE PILOT. 


quivering notes of the whistle were again succeed- 
ed by a general stillness in the vessel. 

u What is to be done now, sir ?” continued the 
lieutenant ; u shall we trip the anchor ? There 
seems not a breath of air, and as the tide runs 
slack, I doubt whether the sea do not heave the 
ship ashore.” 

There was so much obvious truth in this con- 
jecture, that all eyes turned from the light and 
animation afforded by the decks of the frigate, to 
look abroad on the waters, in a vain desire to 
pierce the darkness, as if to read the fate of their 
apparently devoted ship, from the aspect of na- 
ture. 

u I leave all to the pilot,” said the captain, after 
he had stood a short time by the side of Griffith, 
anxiously studying the heavens and the ocean. 
u What say you, Mr. Gray ?” 

The man who was, thus, first addressed by name, 
was leaning over the bulwarks, with his eyes bent 
in the same direction as the others ; but as he an- 
swered, he turned his face towards the speaker, 
and the light from the deck fell full upon his quiet 
features, which exhibited a calmness bordering on 
the supernatural, considering his station and re- 
sponsibility. 

“ There is much to fear from this heavy ground 
swell,” he said, in the same unmoved tones as be 
fore ; “ but there is certain destruction to us, if the 
gale that is brewing in the east finds us waiting its 
fury in this wild anchorage. All the hemp that 
was ever spun into cordage would not hold a ship 
an hour, chafing on these rocks, with a north-easter 
pouring its fury on her. If the powers of man can 
compass it, gentlemen, we must get an offing, and 
that speedily.” 

“ You say no more, sir, than the youngest boy 


THE PILOT. 


49 


m the ship can see for himself ,’ 5 said Griffith — u ha ! 
here comes the schooner ! 55 

The dashing of the long sweeps in the water 
was now plainly audible, and the little Ariel was 
seen through the gloom, moving heavily under 
their feeble impulse. As she passed s. owly under 
the stern of the frigate, the cheerful voice of Barn- 
stable was first heard, opening the communications 
between them. 

u Here’s a night for spectacles, Captain Mun- 
son !” he cried ; “ but I thought I heard your fife, 
sir ; I trust in God, you do not mean to ride it out 
here till morning ?” 

“ I like the birth as little as yourself, Mr. Barn- 
stable,” returned the veteran seaman, in his calm 
manner, in which anxiety was, however, begin- 
ning to grow evident. “ We are short; but are 
afraid to let go our hold of the bottom, lest the sea 
east us ashore. How make you out the wind ?” 

u Wind !” echoed the other ; u there is not 
enough to blow a lady’s cuil aside. If you wait, 
sir, till the land breeze fills your sails, you will 
wait another moon, I believe. I’ve got my egg- 
shell out of that nest of gray-caps, but how it has 
been done in the dark, a better man than myself 
must explain.” 

u Take your directions from the pilot, Mr. Barn- 
stable,” returned his commanding officer, u and 
follow them strictly and to the letter.” 

A death-like silence, in both vessels, succeeded 
this order, for all seemed to listen eagerly to catch 
the words that fell from the man, on whom, even 
the boys now felt, depended their only hopes for 
safety. A short time was suffered to elapse, be 
fore his voice was heard, in the same low but dis- 
tinct tones as before — 

u Your sweeps will soon be of no service to 


50 


THE PILOT. 


you.” lie said, “ against the sea that begins to 
heave in ; but your light sails will help them to 
get you out. So long as you can head east-and- 
by-north, you are doing well, and you can stand 
on till you open the light from that northern 
headland, when you can heave to, and fire a 
gun ; but if, as I dread, you are struck aback, 
before you open the light, you may trust to your 
lead on the larboard tack ; but beware, with your 
head to the southward, for no lead will serve you 
there.” 

u I can walk over the same ground on one tack 
as on the other,” said Barnstable, u and make both 
legs of a length.” 

“ R will not do,” returned the pilot. “ If you 
fall off a point to starboard from east-and-by-north, 
in going large, you will find both rocks and points 
of shoals to bring you up ; and beware, as I tell 
you, of the starboard tack.” 

“ And how shall I find my way ? you will let 
me trust to neither time, lead, nor log.” 

a You must trust to a quick eye and a ready 
hand. The breakers only will show you the dan- 
gers, when you are not able to make out the bear- 
ings of the land. Tack in season, sir, and don’t 
spare the lead, when you head to-port.” 

u Ay, ay,” returned Barnstable, in a low mut- 
tering voice. “ This is a sort of blind navigation 
with a vengeance, and all for no purpose that I can 
see — see ! damme, eyesight is of about as much 
use now, as a man’s nose would be in reading the 
Bible.” 

u Softly, softly, Mr. Barnstable,” interrupted his 
commander, for such was the anxious stillness in 
both vessels, that even the rattling of the schoon- 
ers rigging was heard, as she rolled in the trough 
of the sea — u the duty on which Congress has 


THE PILOT. 


51 


sent us must be performed at the hazard of our 
lives.” 

“ I don’t mind my life, Captain Munson,” said 
Barnstable ; a but there is a great want of con- 
science in trusting a vessel in such a place as this. 
However, it is a time to do, and not to talk. But 
if there be such danger to an easy draught of 
w 7 ater, what will become of the frigate ? had I 
not better play jackall, and try and feel the way 
for you ?” 

“ I thank you,” said the pilot ; u the offer is 
generous, but would avail us nothing. I have the 
advantage of knowing the ground well, and must 
trust to my memory and God’s good favour. Make 
sail, make sail, sir, and if you succeed, we will ven 
ture to break ground.” 

The order w 7 as promptly obeyed, and in a very 
short time, the Ariel w r as covered with canvass. 
Though no air was perceptible on the decks of 
the frigate, the little schooner w 7 as so light, that 
she succeeded in stemming her way over the ris- 
ing waves, aided a little by the tide, and in a few 
minutes, her low T hull was just discernible in the 
streak of light along the horizon, with the dark 
outline of her sails rising above the sea, until 
their fanciful summits were lost in the shadows of 
the clouds. 

Griffith had listened to the foregoing dialogue, 
like the rest of the junior officers, in profound si- 
lence ; but when the Ariel began to grow indis- 
tinct to the eye, he jumped lightly from the gun 
to the deck, and cried — 

“ She slips off, like a vessel from the stocks! 
shall I trip the anchor, sir, and follow ?” 

u We have no choice,” replied his captain. 
u You hear the question, Mr Grav ? shall we let 
go the bottom ?” 


¥ 


THE PILOT. 


52 


u It must be done, Captain Munson ; we may 
want more drift than the rest of this tide to get us 
to a place of safety,” said the pilot ; “ I would give 
five years from a life, that I know will be short, if 
the ship lay one mile further seaward.” 

This remark was unheard by all, excepting the 
commander of the frigate, who again walked aside 
with the pilot, where they resumed their mysteri- 
ous communications. The words of assent were 
no sooner uttered, however, than Griffith gave 
forth from his trumpet the command to u heave 
away !” Again the strains of the fife w^ere followed 
by the tread of the men at the capstan. At the 
same time that the anchor was heaving up, the sails 
were loosened from the yards, and opened to invite 
the breeze. In effecting this duty, orders were 
thundered through the trumpet of the first lieute- 
nant, and executed with the rapidity of thought. 
Men were to be seen, like spots in the dim light 
from the heavens, lying on every yard, or hanging 
as in air, while strange cries were heard issuing 
from every part of the rigging, and each spar of 
the vessel. u Ready the fore-royal,” cried a shrill 
voice, as if from the clouds ; u ready the fore yard,” 
uttered the hoarser tones of a seaman beneath him ; 
u all ready aft, sir,” cried a third, from another 
quarter ; and in a few moments, the order was 
given to “ let fall.” 

The little light which fell from the sky was now 
excluded by the falling canvass, and a deeper gloom 
was cast athwart the decks of the ship, that served 
lo render the brilliancy of the lanterns even vivid, 
while it gave to objects out-board a more appalling 
and dreary appearance than before. 

Every individual, excepting the commander and 
his associate, w-as now earnestly engaged in get- 
ting the ship under way. The sounds of “ we’re 


THE PILOT. 


53 


away,” were repeated by a burst from fifty voices, 
and the rapid evolutions of the capstan announced 
that nothing but the weight of the anchor was to be 
lifted. The hauling of cordage, the rattling of 
blocks, blended with the shrill calls of the boat- 
swain and his mates, succeeded ; and though to a 
landsman all would have appeared confusion and 
hurry, long practice and strict discipline enabled 
the crew to exhibit their ship under a cloud of can- 
vass, from her deck to the trucks, in less time than 
we have consumed in relating it. 

For a few minutes, the officers were not disap- 
pointed by the result, for though the heavy sails 
flapped lazily against the masts, the light duck on 
the loftier spars swelled outwardly, and the ship 
began sensibly to yield to their influence. 

u She travels ! she travels !” exclaimed Grif- 
fith, joyously ; u ah ! the hussy ! she has as much 
antipathy to the land as any fish that swims : it blows 
a little gale aloft, yet !” 

“ We feel its dying breath,” said the pilot, in 
low, soothing tones, but in a manner so sudden as 
to startle Griffith, at whose elbow they were un- 
expectedly uttered. u Let us forget, young man, 
every thing but the number of lives that depend, 
this night, on your exertions and my knowledge.” 
“ If you be but half as able to exhibit the one, 
as I am willing to make the other, we shall do 
well,” returned the lieutenant, in the same tone. 
a Remember, whatever may be your feelings, that 
we are on an enemy’s coast, and love it not enough 
to wish to lay our bones there.” 

With this brief explanation they separated, the 
vessel requiring the constant and close attention 
of the officer to her movements. 

The exultation produced in the crew by the 
progress of their ship through the water was of 

5 * 


54 


THE PILOT. 


short duration ; for the breeze that had seemed to 
await their motions, after forcing the vessel for a 
quarter of a mile, fluttered for a few minutes amid 
their light canvass, and then left them entirely. 
The quarter-master, whose duty it was to super- 
intend the helm, soon announced that he was losing 
the command of the vessel, as she was no longer 
obedient to her rudder. This ungrateful intelli- 
gence was promptly communicated to his com- 
mander by Griffith, who suggested the propriety 
of again dropping an anchor. 

u I refer you to Mr. Gray,’ 5 returned the cap- 
tain ; “ he is the pilot, sir, and with him rests the 
safety of the vessel.” 

“ Pilots sometimes lose ships, as well as save 
them,” said Griffith ; “ know you the man well, 
Captain Munson, who holds all our lives in his 
keeping, and so coolly as if he cared but little for 
the venture ?” 

“ Mr. Griffith, I do know him ; he is, in my 
opinion, both competent and faithful. Thus much 
f tell you, to relieve your anxiety ; more you must 
not ask ; — but is there not a shift of wind ?” 

u God forbid !” exclaimed his lieutenant ; “ if 
that north-easter catches us within the shoals, our 
case will be desperate indeed !” 

The heavy rolling of the vessel caused an occa- 
sional expansion, and as sudden a re-action, in their 
sails, which left the oldest seamen in the ship in 
doubt which way the currents of air were passing, 
or whether there existed any that were not created 
by the flapping of their own canvass. The head of the 
ship, however, began to fall off from the sea, and not- 
withstanding the darkness, it soon became apparent 
that she was driving in, bodily, towards the shore. 
During these few minutes of gloomy doubt, 
Griffith, bv one of those sudden revulsions of the 

j %/ 


THE PILOT. 


55 


mind, that connect the opposite extremes of feel- 
ing, lost his animated anxiety, and relapsed into 
the listless apathy that so often came over him, 
even in the most critical moments of trial and dan- 
ger. He was standing, with one elbow resting on 
the capstan, shading his eyes from the light of the 
battle-lantern that stood near him, with one hand, 
when he felt a gentle pressure of the other, that 
recalled his recollection. Looking affectionately, 
though still recklessly, at the boy who stood at 
his side, he said — 

44 Dull music, Mr. Merry.” 

44 So dull, sir, that I can’t dance to it,” return- 
ed the midshipman. 44 Nor do I believe there is 
a man in the ship who would not rather hear 4 The 
girl I left behind me,’ than those execrable sounds.” 
44 What sounds, boy ! The ship is as quiet as 
the quaker meeting in the Jerseys, before your 
good old grandfather used to break the charm of 
silence with his sonorous voice.” 

44 Ah ! laugh at my peaceable blood, if thou 
wilt, Mr. Griffith,” said the arch youngster ; 44 but 
remember, there is a mixture of it in all sorts of 
veins. I wish I could hear one of the old gentle- 
man’s chants now, sir; I could always sleep to 
them, like a gull in a surf. But he that sleeps to 
night, with that lullaby, will make a nap of it.” 

44 Sounds ! I hear no sounds, boy, but the flap- 
ping aloft ; even that pilot, who struts the quarter- 
deck like an admiral, has nothing to say.” 

44 Is not that a sound to open a seaman’s ear ?” 

44 It is in truth a heavy roll of the surf, la-d, but 
the night air carries it heavily to our ears. Know 
you not the sounds of the surf yet, younker ?” 

44 I know it too well, Mr. Griffith, and do not 
wish to know it better. How fast are w T e tum- 
bling in towards that surf, sir ?” 


56 


THE PILOT. 


u I think we hold our own, 5 ’ said Griffith, rous* 
ing again ; “ though we had better anchor. Luf% 
fellow, luff, you are broadside to the sea !” 

The man at the wheel repeated his former in- 
telligence, adding a suggestion, that he thought the 
ship “ was gathering stern-way.” 

u Haul up your courses, Mr. Griffith,” said Cap- 
tain Munson, u and let us feel the wind.” 

The rattling of the blocks was soon heard, and 
the enormous sheets of canvass that hung from 
the lower yards were instantly suspended u in the 
brails.” When this change was effected, all on 
board stood silent and breathless, as if expecting 
to learn their fate by the result. Several contra- 
dictory opinions were, at length, hazarded among 
the officers, w r hen Griffith seized the candle from 
the lantern, and, springing on one of the guns, 
held it on high, exposed to the action of the air. 
The little flame waved, with uncertain glimmer- 
ing, for a moment, and then burned steadily, in a 
line with the masts. Griffith was about to lower 
his extended arm, when, feeling a slight sensation 
of coolness on his hand, he paused, and the light 
turned slowly towards the land, flared, flickered, 
and finally deserted the wick. 

u Lose not a moment, Mr. Griffith,” cried the 
pilot aloud ; “ clew up and furl every thing but 
your three top-sails, and let them be double-reefed. 
Now is the time to fulfil your promise.” 

The young man paused one moment, in astonish- 
ment, as the clear distinct tones of the stranger 
struck his ears so unexpectedly ; but turning his 
eyes to seaward, he sprang on the deck, and pro* 
ceeded to obey the order, as if life and death de 
pended on his despatch. 


CHAPTER V. 


u She rights, she rights, boys ! wear off shore ! * 

So.*,#. 


The extraordinary activity of Griffith, which 
communicated itself with promptitude to the crew, 
was produced by a sudden alteration in the wea- 
ther. In place of the well-defined streak along 
the horizon, that has been already described, an 
immense body of misty light appeared to be mov- 
ing in, with rapidity, from the ocean, while a dis- 
tinct but distant roaring announced the sure ap- 
proach of the tempest, that had so long troubled 
the waters. Even Griffith, while thundering his 
orders through the trumpet, and urging the men, 
by his cries, to expedition, would pause, for in- 
stants, to cast anxious glances in the direction of 
the coming storm ; and the faces of the sailors who 
lay on the yards were turned, instinctively, to- 
wards the same quarter of the heavens, while they 
knotted the reef-points, or passed the gaskets, that 
were to confine the unruly canvass to the pre- 
scribed limits. 

The pilot alone, in that confused and busy 
throng, where voice rose above voice, and cry 
echoed cry, in quick succession, appeared as if he 


58 


THE PILOT. 


heid no interest in the important stake. With his 
eyes steadily fixed on the approaching mist, and 
his arms folded together in composure, he stood 
calmly waiting the result. 

The ship had fallen off, with her broadside to 
the sea, and was become unmanageable, and the 
sails were already brought into the folds necessary 
to her security, when the quick and heavy flutter- 
ing of canvass was thrown across the water, with 
all the gloomy and chilling sensations that such 
sounds produce, where darkness and danger unite 
to appal the seaman. 

“ The schooner has it !” cried Griffith ; a Barn- 
stable has held on, like himself, to the last moment 
— God send that the squall leave him cloth enough 
to keep him from the shore !” 

a His sails are easily handled,” the commander 
observed, u and she must be over the principal 
danger. We are falling off before it, Mr. Gray ; 
shall we try a cast of the lead ?” 

The pilot turned from his contemplative pos- 
ture, and moved slowly across the deck before he 
returned any reply to this question — like a man 
who not only felt that every thing depended on 
himself, but that he was equal to the emergency. 

“ ? Tis unnecessary,” he at length said ; u ’twould 
be certain destruction to be taken aback, and it is 
difficult to say, within several points, how the wind 
may strike us.” 

“ ’Tis difficult no longer,” cried Griffith ; “ foi 
here it comes, and in right earnest !” 

The rushing sounds of the wind were now, in- 
deed, heard at hand, and the words w 7 ere hardly 
past the lips of the young lieutenant, before the 
vessel bow 7 ed dowm heavily to one side, and then, 
as she began to move through the w 7 ater, rose again 
majestically to her upright position, as if saluting, 


THE PILOT. 


59 


like a courteous champion, the powerful antagonist 
with which she was about to contend. Not ano- 
ther minute elapsed, before the ship was throwing 
the waters aside, with a lively progress, and, obe- 
dient to her helm, was brought as near to the de- 

i - O 

sired course as the direction of the wind would al- 
low. The hurry and bustle on the yards gradual- 
ly subsided, and the men slowly descended to the 
deck, all straining their eyes to pierce the gloom 
m which they were enveloped, and some shaking 
their heads, in melancholy doubt, afraid to express 
the apprehensions they really entertained. All on 
board anxiously waited for the fury of the gale ; 
for there were none so ignorant or inexperienced 
in that gallant frigate, as not to know, that as yet, 
they only felt the infant efforts of the wind. Each 
moment, however, it increased in power, though 
so gradual was the alteration, that the relieved 
mariners began to believe that all their gloomy 
forebodings were not to be realized. During this 
short interval of uncertainty, no other sounds were 
heard than the whistling of the breeze, as it pass- 
ed quickly through the mass of rigging that be- 
longed to the vessel, and the dashing of the spray, 
that began to fly from her bows, like the foam of 
a cataract. 

“ It blows fresh,” cried Griffith, who was the 
first to speak in that moment of doubt and anxie- 
ty ; “ but it is no more than a cap-full of wind, 
after all. Give us elbow-room, and the right can- 
vass, Mr. Pilot, and I’ll handle the ship like a gen- 
leman’s yacht, in this breeze.” 

“ Will she stay, think ye, under this sail ?” said 
the low voice of the stranger. 

u She will do all that man, in reason, can ask 
of wood and iron,” returned the lieutenant ; cc but 
che vessel don’t float the ocean that will tack un * 


60 


THE PILOT 


der double-reefed topsails alone, against a heavy 
sea. Help her with the courses, pilot, and you 
shall see her come round like a dancing-master.” 

a Let us feel the strength of the gale first,” re- 
turned the man who was called Mr. Gray, moving 
from the side of Griffith to the weather gangway 
of the vessel, where he stood in silence, looking 
ahead of the ship, with an air of singular coolness 
and abstraction. 

All the lanterns had been extinguished on the 
deck of the frigate, when her anchor was secured, 
and as the first mist of the gale had passed over, 
it was succeeded by a faint light that was a good 
deal aided by the glittering foam of the waters, 
which now broke in white curls around the vessel, 
in every direction. The land could be faintly dis- 
cerned, rising like a heavy bank of black fog, above 
the margin of the waters, and was only distinguish- 
able from the heavens by its deeper gloom and ob- 
scurity. The last rope w r as coiled, and deposited 
in its proper place, by the seamen, and for several 
minutes the stillness of death pervaded the crowd- 
ed decks. It was evident to every one, that their 
ship was dashing at a prodigious rate through the 
waves ; and as she was approaching, with such ve- 
locity, the quarter of the bay where the shoals and 
dangers were known to be situated, nothing but 
the habits of the most exact discipline could sup 
press the uneasiness of the officers and men with 
in their own bosoms. At length the voice of Cap 
tain Munson was heard, calling to the pilot. 

“ Shall I send a hand into the chains, Mr. Gray,” 
he said, u and try our water ?” 

Although this question was asked aloud, and 
the interest it excited drew many of the officers 
and men around him, in eager impatience for his 
answer, it was unheeded by the man to whom it 


THE PILOT 


61 


was addressed. His head rested on his hand, as 
he leaned over the hammock-cloths of the vessel, 
and his whole air was that of one whose thoughts 
wandered from the pressing necessity of their si- 
tuation. Griffith was among those who had ap- 
proached the pilot, and after waiting a moment, 
from respect, to hear the answer to his command 
er’s question, he presumed on his own rank, and 
leaving the circle that stood at a little distance, 
stepped to the side of the mysterious guardian of 
their lives. 

“ Captain Munson desires to know whether you 
wish a cast of the lead ?” said the young officer, 
with a little impatience of manner. No imme- 
diate answer was made to this repetition of the 
question, arid Griffith laid his hand unceremoni- 
ously on the shoulder of the other, with an intent 
to rouse him, before he made another application 
for a reply, but the convulsive start of the pilot 
held him silent in amazement. 

“ Fall back there,” said the lieutenant, sternly, 
to the men, who were closing around them in a 
compact circle ; u away with you to your stations, 
and see all clear for stays.” The dense mass of 
heads dissolved, at this order, like the water of 
one of the waves commingling with the ocean, and 
the lieutenant and his companions were left by 
themselves. 

“ This is not a time for musing, Mr. Gray,” 
continued Griffith, u remember our compact, and 
look to your charge — is it not time to put the ves- 
sel in stays ? of what are you dreaming ?” 

The pilot laid his hand on the extended arm of 
the lieutenant, and grasped it with a convulsive 
pressure, as he answered — 

“ 5 Tis a dream of reality. You are young, Mr. 
Griffith, nor am I past the noon of life ; but should 

6 


62 


THE PILOT 


you live fifty years longer, you never can see and 
experience what I have encountered in my little 
period of three-and-thirty years !” 

A good deal astonished at this burst of feeling, 
so singular at such a moment, the young sailor was 
at a loss for a reply ; but as his duty was upper- 
most in his thoughts, he still dwelt on the theme 
that most interested him. 

a I hope much of your experience has been on 
this coast, for the ship travels lively,” he said, 
cc and the daylight showed us so much to dread that 
we do not feel over-valiant in the dark. How much 
longer shall we stand on, upon this tack ?” 

The pilot turned slowly from the side of the 
vessel, and walked towards the commander of the 
frigate, as he replied, in a tone that seemed deep- 
ly agitated by his melancholy reflections — 

“ You have your w r ish, then ; much, very much 
of my early life was passed on this dreaded coast. 
What to you is all darkness and gloom, to me is 
as light as if a noon-day sun shone upon it. But 
tack your ship, sir, tack your ship ; I would see 
how she works before we reach the point where 
she must behave well, or we perish.” 

Griffith gazed after him in wonder, while the pi- 
lot slowly paced the quarter-deck, and then, rous- 
ing from his trance, gave forth the cheering order 
that called each man to his station, to perform the 
desired evolution. The confident assurances 
which the young officer had given to the pilot re- 
specting the qualities of his vessel, and his own 
ability to manage her, were fully realized by the 
result. The helm was no sooner put a-lee, than 
the huge ship bore up gallantly against the wind, 
and dashing directly through the waves, threw the 
foam high into the air, as she looked boldly into 
the very eye of the wind, and then, yielding grace- 


THE PILOT. 


63 


fully to its power, she fell oft' on the other tack, 
with her head pointed from those dangerous shoals 
that she had so recently approached with such ter- 
rifying velocity. The heavy yards swung round, 
as if they had been vanes to indicate the currents 
of the air, and in a few moments the frigate again 
moved, with stately progress, through the water, 
leaving the rocks and shoals behind her on one 
side of the bay, but advancing towards those that 
offered equal danger on the other. 

During this time the sea was becoming more 
agitated, and the violence of the wind was gradually 
increasing. The latter no longer whistled amid 
the cordage of the vessel, but it seemed to howl, 
surlily, as it passed the complicated machinery that 
the frigate obtruded on its path. An endless succes- 
sion of white surges rose above the heavy billows, 
and the very air was glittering with the light that 
was disengaged from the ocean. The ship yield- 
ed, each moment, more and more before the 
storm, and in less than half an hour from the time 
that she had lifted her anchor, she was driven 
along with tremendous fury by the full power of a 
gale of wind. Still, the hardy and experienced 
mariners who directed her movements, held her 
to the course that was necessary to their preserva- 
tion, and still Griffith gave forth, when directed by 
their unknown pilot, those orders that turned her 
in the narrow channel where safety was alone to 
be found. 

So far, the performance of his duty appeared 
easy to the stranger, and he gave the required di- 
rections in those still, calm tones, that formed so 
remarkable a contrast to the responsibility of his 
situation. But when the land was becoming dim, 
in distance as w r ell as darkness, and the agitated 
sea alone was to be discovered as it swept by them 


64 


THE PILOT. 


in foam, he broke in upon the monotonous roaring 
of the thmpest with the sounds of his voice, seem- 
ing to shake off his apathy, and rouse himself to 
the occasion. 

44 Now is the time to watch her closely, Mr. 
Griffith,” he cried ; 44 here we get the true tide 
and the real danger. Place the best quartermaster 
of your ship in those chains, and let an officer 
stand by him and see that he gives us the right 
water.” 

44 I will take that office on myself,” said the 
captain ; 44 pass a light into the weather main-' 
chains.” 

44 Stand by your braces !” exclaimed the pilot, 
with startling quickness. 44 Heave away that 
lead!” 

These preparations taught the crew to expect 
the crisis, and every officer and man stood in fear- 
ful silence, at his assigned station, awaiting the is- 
sue of the trial. Even the quarter-master at the 
cun gave out his orders to the men at the wheel, 
in deeper and hoarser tones than usual, as if anx- 
ious not to disturb the quiet and order of the ves- 
sel. 

While thfs deep expectation pervaded the fri- 
gate, the 'piercing cry of the leadsman, as he call- 
ed “ by the mark seven,” rose above the tempest, 
crossed over the decks, and appeared to pass away 
to leeward, borne on the blast like the warnings 
of some water spirit. 

“ ’Tis well,” returned the pilot, calmly; £C try 
it again.” 

The short pause was succeeded by another cry, 
“ and a half-five !” 

u She shoals ! she shoals !” exclaimed Griffith ; 
u keep her a good full.” 

u Ay ! you must hold the vessel in command, 


THE PILOT. 


65 


now,” said the pilot, with those cool tones that 
are most appalling in critical moments, because 
they seem to denote most preparation and care. 

The third call of u by the deep four !” was fol- 
lowed by a prompt direction from the stranger to 
tack. 

Griffith seemed to emulate the coolness of the 
pilot, in issuing the necessary orders to execute this 
manoeuvre. 

The vessel rose slowly from the inclined posi- 
tion into which she had been forced by the tem- 
pest, and the sails were shaking violently, as if to 
release themselves from their confinement, while 
the ship stemmed the billows, when the well-known 
voice of the sailing-master was heard shouting from 
the forecastle — 

“ Breakers ! breakers, dead ahead !” 

This appalling sound seemed yet to be lingering 
about the ship, when a second voice cried — 
u Breakers on our lee-bow !” 

“ We are in a bite of the shoals, Mr*. Gray,” 
cried the commander. u She loses her way ; per- 
haps an anchor might hold her.” 

“ Clear away that best bower,” shouted Grif- 
fith through his trumpet. 

u Hold on !” cried the pilot, in a voice that 
reached the very hearts of all who heard him ; 
u hold on every thing.” 

The young man turned fiercely to the daring 
stranger, who thus defied the discipline of his ves- 
sel, and at once demanded — 

“ Who is it that dares to countermand my or- 
ders ? is it not enough that you run the ship into 
danger, but you must interfere to keep her there ! 
If another word — ” 

“ Peace, Mr. Griffith,” interrupted the captain, 
bending from the rigging, his gray locks blowing 

6 * 


66 


THE PIEOT 


about in the wind, and adding a look of wildness 
to the haggard care that he exhibited by the light 
of his lantern ; “ yield the trumpet to Mr. Gray ; 
he alone can save us.” 

Griffith threw his speaking trumpet on. the deck, 
and as he walked proudly away, muttered, in bit- 
terness of feeling — 

u Then all is lost, indeed, and among the rest, 
the foolish hopes with which I visited this coast.” 

There was, however, no time for reply ; the 
ship had been rapidly running into the wind, and 
as the efforts of the crew were paralyzed by the 
contradictory orders they had heard, she gradually 
lost her way, and in a few seconds all her sails 
were taken aback. 

Before the crew understood their situation, the 
pilot had applied the trumpet to his mouth, and 
in a voice that rose above the tempest, he thun- 
dered forth his orders. Each command was 
given distinctly, and with a precision that showed 
him to be master of his profession. The helm 
was kept fast, the head yards swung up heavily 
against the wind, and the vessel was soon whirl- 
ing round on her heel, with a retrograde move- 
ment. 

Griffith was too much of a seaman not to per- 
ceive that the pilot had seized, with a perception 
almost intuitive, the only method that promised to 
extricate the vessel from her situation. He was 
young, impetuous, and proud — but he was also 
generous. Forgetting his resentment and his mor- 
tification, he rushed forward among the men, and, 
by his presence and example, added certainty to 
the experiment. The ship fell off slowly before 
the gale, and bowed her yards nearly to the wa- 
ter, as she felt the blast pouring its fury on her 
broadside, while the surlv waves beat violently 


THE PILOT. 


67 


against her stern, as if in reproach at departing 
from her usual manner of moving. 

The voice of the pilot, however, was still heard, 
steady and calm, and yet so clear and high as to 
reach every ear ; and the obedient seamen whirled 
the yards at his bidding, in despite of the tempest, 
as if they handled the toys of their childhood. 
When the ship had fallen off dead before the wind, 
her head sails were shaken, her after yards trim- 
med, and her helm shifted, before she had time to 
run upon the danger that had threatened, as well 
to leeward as to windward. The beautiful fabric, 
obedient to her government, threw her bows up 
gracefully towards the wind again, and as her sails 
were trimmed, moved out from amongst the dan- 
gerous shoals, in which she had been embayed, as 
steadily and swiftly as she had approached them. 

A moment of breathless astonishment succeeded 
the accomplishment of this nice manoeuvre, but 
there was no time for the usual expressions of sur- 
prise. The stranger still held the trumpet, and 
continued to lift his voice amid the howlings of the 
blast, whenever prudence or skill directed any 
change in the management of the ship. For an 
hour longer, there was a fearful struggle for theii 
preservation, the channel becoming, at each step, 
more complicated, and the shoals thickening around 
the mariners on every side. The lead was cast 
rapidly, and the quick eye of the pilot seemed to 
pierce the darkness, with a keenness of vision that 
exceeded human power. It was apparent to all in 
the vessel, that they were under the guidance of 
one who understood the navigation thoroughly, and 
their exertions kept pace with their reviving con- 
fidence. Again and again, the frigate appeared to 
be rushing blindly on shoals, where the sea was 
covered with foam* and where destruction would 


G8 


THE PILOT. 


have been as sudden as it was certain, whetn the 
clear voice of the stranger was heard warning them 
of the danger, and inciting them to their duty. The 
vessel was implicitly yielded to his government, 
and during those anxious moments when she was 
dashing the waters aside, throwing the spray over 
her enormous yards, each ear would listen eagerly 
for those sounds that had obtained a command over 
the crew, that can only be acquired, under such 
circumstances, by great steadiness and consummate 
skill. The ship was recovering from the inaction 
of changing her course, in one of those critical 
tacks that she had made so often, when the pilot, 
for the first time, addressed the commander of the 
frigate, who still continued to superintend the all- 
important duty of the leadsman. 

“Now is the pinch,” he said, “ and if the ship 
behaves well, we are safe — but if otherwise, all we 
have yet done will be useless.” 

The veteran seaman whom he addressed left the 
chains, at this portentous notice, and calling to his 
first lieutenant, required of the stranger an explana- 
tion of his warning. 

“ See you yon light on the southern headland?” 
returned the pilot; “you may know it from the 
star near it — by its sinking, at times, in the ocean. 
Now observe the hom-moc, a little north of. it, 
looking like a shadow in the horizon — ’ tis a hill 
far inland. If wc keep that light open from the 
hill, we shall do well — but if not, we surely go to 
pieces.” 

“Let us tack again!” exclaimed the lieutenant. 

The pilot shook his head, as he replied — 

“ There is no more tacking or box-hauling to be 
done to-night. We have barely room to pass out 
of the shoals on this course, and if we can weather 
the ‘ Devil’s-Grip,’ we clear their outermost point 


THE PILOT. 


69 


—hut if not, as I said before, there is but an alter- 
native.” 

u If we had beaten out the way we entered !” 
exclaimed Griffith, “ w r e should have done well.” 

u Say also, if the tide would have let us do so,” 
returned the pilot, calmly. “ Gentlemen, we must 
be prompt ; we have but a mile to go, and the 
ship appears to fly. That topsail is not enough to 
keep her up to the wind ; we w T ant both jib and 
mainsail.” 

u ’Tis a perilous thing to loosen canvass in such 
a tempest !” observed the doubtful captain. 

“It must be done,” returned the collected 
stranger ; u we perish without it — see ! the light 
already touches the edge of the hom-moc ; the sea 
casts us to leeward !” 

u It shall be done !” cried Griffith, seizing the 
trumpet from the hand of the pilot. 

The orders of the lieutenant were executed al- 
most as soon as issued, and every thing being ready, 
the enormous folds of the mainsail were trusted, 
loose, to the blast. There was an instant when 
the result w 7 as doubtful ; the tremendous thresh- 
ing of the heavy sail seeming to bid defiance to 
all restraint, shaking the ship to her centre ; but 
art and strength prevailed, and gradually the can- 
vass w r as distended, and bellying as it filled, was 
drawn down to its usual place by the power of a 
hundred men. The vessel yielded to this immense 
addition of force, and bowed before it, like a reed 
bending to a breeze. But the success of the mea- 
sure was announced by a joyful cry from the 
stranger, that seemed to burst from his inmost soul. 

u She feels it ! she springs her luff* observed, 
he said, “ the light opens from the hom-moc al- 
ready ; if she will only bear her canvass, we shall 
go clear f ” 


70 


THE PILOT. 


A report, like that of a cannon, interrupted his 
exclamation, and something resembling a white 
cloud was seen drifting before the wind from the 
head of the ship, till it was driven into the gloom 
far to leeward. 

u 5 Tis the jib, blown from the bolt-ropes , 55 said 
the commander of the frigate. u This is no time 
to spread light duck — but the mainsail may stand 
it yet . 55 

u The sail would laugh at a tornado, 5 * leturned 
the lieutenant , u but the mast springs like a piece 
of steel . 55 

u Silence all ! 55 cried the pilot. cc Now, gentle- 
men, we shall soon know our fate. Let her luff — 
luff you can ! 55 

This warning effectually closed all discourse, 
and the hardy mariners, knowing that they had 
already done all in the power of man to ensure 
their safety, stood in breathless anxiety, awaiting 
the result. At a short distance ahead of them 
the whole ocean was white with foam, and the 
waves, instead of rolling on, in regular succession, 
appeared to be tossing about in mad gambols. A 
single streak of dark billows, not half a cable’s 
length in w T idth, could be discerned running into 
this chaos of water ; but it was soon lost to the 
eye amid the confusion of the disturbed element. 
Along this narrow path the vessel moved more hea- 
vily than before, being brought so near the wind as 
to keep her sails touching. The pilot silently pro- 
ceeded to the wheel, and, with his own hands, he un- 
dertook the steerage of the ship. No noise proceed- 
ed from the frigate to interrupt the horrid tumuit 
of the ocean, and she entered the channel among 
the breakers, with the silence of a desperate calm- 
ness. Twenty times, as the foam rolled away to 
leoward the crew were on the eve of uttering 


THE PILOT, 


71 


their joy as they supposed the vessel past the 
danger ; but breaker after breaker would still 
heave up before them, following each other into 
the general mass, to check their exultation. Oc- 
casionally, the fluttering of the sails would be 
heard ; and when the looks of the startled seamen 
were turned to the wheel, they beheld the stran- 
ger grasping its spokes, with his quick eye glanc- 
ing from the water to the canvass. At length the 
ship reached a point, where she appeared to be 
rushing directly into the jaws of destruction, when, 
suddenly, her course was changed, and her head 
receded rapidly from the wind. At the same in- 
stant the voice of the pilot was heard, shouting — 
“ Square away the yards ! — in mainsail !” 

A general burst from the crew echoed, u square 
away the yards !” and, quick as thought, the fri- 
gate was seen gliding along the channel before the 
wind. The eye had hardly time to dwell on the 
foam, which seemed like clouds driving in the hea- 
vens, and directly the gallant vessel issued from 
her perils, and rose and fell on the heavy waves 
of the open sea. 

The seamen were yet drawing long breaths, and 
gazing about them like men recovered from a 
trance, when Griffith approached the man who had 
so successfully conducted them through their perils. 
The young lieutenant grasped the hand of the oth- 
er, as he said — 

“ You have this night proved yourself a faith 
ful pilot, and such a seaman as the world cannot 
equal.” 

The pressure of the hand was warmly returned 
by the unknown mariner, who replied — 

“ I am no stranger to the seas, and I may yet 
find my grave in them. But you, too, have de- 


72 


THE PILOT. 


ceived me ; you have acted nobly, young man, 
and Congress — ” 

u What of Congress?” asked Griffith, observing 
him to pause. 

u Why, Congress is fortunate if it has many 
such ships as this,” said the stranger, coldly, walk- 
ing away toward the commander. 

Griffith gazed after him, a moment, in surprise ; 
but as hrs duty required his attention, other 
thoughts soon engaged his mind. 

The vessel was pronounced to be in safety. The 
gale was heavy, and increasing, but there was a 
clear sea before them, and, as she slowly stretched 
out into the bosom of the ocean, preparations w T ere 
made for her security during its continuance. Be- 
fore midnight every thing was in order. A gun 
from the Ariel soon announced the safety of the 
schooner also, which had gone out by another and 
an easier channel, that the frigate had not dared to 
attempt ; when the commandei^lirected the usual 
watch to be set, and the remainder of the crew to 
seek their necessary repose. 

The captain withdrew with the mysterious pilot 
to his own cabin. Griffith gave his last order, and 
renewing his charge to the officer entrusted with 
the care of the vessel, he wished him a pleasant 
watch, anu sought the refreshment of his own cot. 
For an hour, the young lieutenant lay musing on 
the events of the day. The remark of Barnstable 
would occur to him, in connexion with the singu- 
lar comment of the boy ; and then his thoughts 
would recur to the pilot, who, taken from the hos- 
tile shores of Britain, and with her accent on his 
tongue, had served them so faithfully and so well. 
He remembered the anxiety of Captain Munson to 
procure this stranger, at the very hazard from 


THE PILOT. 


73 


which they had just been relieved, and puzzled 
himself with conjecturing why a pilot was to be 
sought at such a risk. His more private feelings 
would then resume their sway, and the recollection 
of America, his mistress, and his home, mingled 
with the confused images of the drowsy youth. 
The dashing of the billows against the side of the 
ship, the creaking of guns, and bulk-heads, with the 
roaring of the tempest, however, became gradually 
less and less distinct, until nature yielded to neces- 
sity, and the young man forgot even the romantic 
images of his love, in the deep sleep of a seaman# • 

7 


CHAPTER VI 


“ The letter ! ay ! the letter • 
fTia there a woman loves to speak her wishes t 
It spares the blushes of the love-sick maiden. 

And every word’s a smile, each line a tongue. w 

Dui 


The slumbers of Griffith continued till late 
the following morning, when he was awakened by 
the report of a cannon, issuing from the deck above 
him. He threw himself, listlessly, from his cot, 
and perceiving the officer of marines near him, 
as his servant opened the door of his state-room, 
he inquired, with some little interest in his man- 
ner, if “ the ship was in chase of any thing, that a 
gun was fired ?” 

u ? Tis no more than a hint to the Ariel,” the 
soldier replied, u that there is bunting abroad for 
them to read. It seems as if all hands were asleep 
on board her, for we have shown her signal, these 
ten minutes, and she takes us for a collier, J believe, 
by the respect she pays it.” 

“ Say, rather, that she takes us for an enemy, 
and is wary,” returned Griffith. “ Brown Dick 
has played the English so many tricks himself, 
that he is tender of his faith.” 

“ Why, they have shown him a yellow flag over 
a blue one, with a cornet, and that spells Ariel, 


THE PILOT* 


75 


in every signal-book we have ; surely he can’t 
suspect the English of knowing how to read Yan- 
kee.” 

u I have known Yankees read more difficult 
English,” said Griffith, smiling ; a but, in truth, 
I suppose that Barnstable has been, like myself, 
keeping a dead reckoning of his time, and his men 
have profited by the occasion. She is lying too, I 
- trust.” 

u Ay ! like a cork in a mill-pond, and I dare say 
you are right. Give Barnstable plenty of sea- 
room, a heavy wind, and but little sail, and he will 
send his men below, put that fellow he calls long 
Tom at the tiller, and follow himself, and sleep as 
quietly as I ever could at church.” 

u Ah ! yours is a somniferous orthodoxy, Cap- 
tain Manual,” said the young sailor, laughing, while 
he slipped his arms into the sleeves of a morning 
round-about, covered with the gilded trappings of 
his profession ; u sleep appears to come most natu- 
rally to all you idlers. But give me a passage, 
and I will go up, and call the schooner down to us 
in the turning of an hourglass.” 

The indolent soldier raised himself from the 
leaning posture he had taken against the door of 
the state-room, and Griffith proceeded through the 
dark ward-room, up the narrow stairs that led him 
to the principal battery of the ship, and thence, by 
another and broader flight of steps, to the open 
deck. 

The gale still blew strong, but steadily; the 
blue water of the ocean was rising in mimic 
mountains, that were crowned with white foam, 
which the wind, at times, lifted from its kindred 
element, to propel in mist, through the air, from 
summit to summit. But the ship rode on these agi- 
tated billows with an easy and regular movement, 


76 


rHE PILOT. 


that denoted the skill with which her mechanical 
powers were directed. The day was bright and 
clear, and the lazy sun, who seemed unwilling to 
meet the toil of ascending to the meridian, was 
crossing the heavens with a southern inclination, 
that hardly allowed him to temper the moist air 
of the ocean with his genial heat. At the distance 
of a mile, directly in the wind’s eye, the Ariel was 
seen, obeying the signal which had caused the di- 
alogue we have related. Her low, black hull was 
barely discernible, at moments, when she rose to 
the crest of a larger wave than common ; but the 
spot of canvass that she exposed to the wind, was 
to be seen, seeming to touch the water on either 
hand, as the little vessel rolled amid the seas. At 
times she was entirely hid from view, when the 
faint lines of her raking masts would be again dis- 
covered, issuing, as it were, from the ocean, and 
continuing to ascend, until the hull itself would ap- 
pear, thrusting its bows into the air, surrounded 
by foam, and apparently ieady to take its flight into 
another element. 

After dwelling a moment on the beautiful sight 
we have attempted to describe, Griffith cast his 
eyes upward, to examine, with the keenness of a 
seaman, the disposition of things aloft, and then 
turned his attention to those who were on the deck 
of the frigate. / 

His commander stood, in his composed manner, 
patiently awaiting the execution of his order by 
the Ariel, and at his side was placed the stranger 
who had so recently acted such a conspicuous part 
in the management of the ship. Griffith availed 
himself of daylight and his situation, to examine 
the appearance of this singular being more closely 
than the darkness and confusion of the preceding 
night had allowed. He was a trifle below the 


THE PILOT. 


77 


middle size in stature, but his form was muscular 
and athletic, exhibiting the finest proportions of 
manly beauty. His face appeared rather charac- 
terized by melancholy and thought, than by that 
determined decision which he had so powerfully 
displayed in the moments of their most extreme 
danger ; but Griffith well knew, that it could also 
exhibit looks of the fiercest impatience. At pre- 
sent, it appeared, to the curious youth, when com- 
pared to the glimpses he had caught by the lights 
of their lanterns, like the ocean at rest, contrasted 
with the waters around him. The eyes of the pi- 
lot rested on the deck, or when they did wander, 
it was with uneasy and rapid glances. The large 
pee-jacket, that concealed most of his other attire, 
was as roughly made, and of materials as coarse, 
as that worn by the meanest seaman in the vessel ; 
and yet, it did not escape the inquisitive gaze of 
the young lieutenant, that it was worn with an air 
of neatness and care that was altogether unusual in 
men of his profession. The examination of Grif- 
fith ended here, for the near approach of the Ariel 
attracted the attention of all on the deck of the 
frigate, to the conversation that was about to pass 
between their respective commanders. 

As the little schooner rolled along under their 
stern, Captain Munson directed his subordinate to 
leave his vessel, and repair on board the ship. As 
soon as the order was received, the Ariel rounded- 
to, and drawing ahead into the smooth water occa- 
sioned by the huge fabric that protected her from 
the gale, the whale-boat was again launched from 
her decks, and manned by the same crew that had 
landed on those shores which were now faintly 
discerned far to leeward, looking like blue clouds 
on the skirts of the ocean. 

When Barnstable had entered his boat, a few 

7 * 


78 


THE PILOT. 


strokes of the oars sent it, dancing over the waves, 
to the side of the ship. The little vessel was then 
veered off, to a distance, where it rode in safety, 
under the care of a boat-keeper, and the officer 
and his men ascended the side of the lofty frigate. 

The usual ceremonials of reception were rigidly 
observed by Griffith and’ his juniors, when Barn- 
stable touched the deck ; and though every hand 
was ready to be extended towards the reckless 
seaman, none presumed to exceed the salutations 
of official decorum, until a short and private dia- 
logue had taken place between him and their cap- 
tain. 

In the mean time, the crew of the whale-boat 
passed forward, and mingled with the seamen of 
the frigate, with the exception of the cockswain, 
who established himself in one of the gangways, 
where he stood in the utmost composure, fixing 
his eyes aloft, and shaking his head, in evident dis- 
satisfaction, as he studied the complicated mass of 
rigging above him. This spectacle soon attracted 
to his side some half-dozen youths, with Mr. Mer- 
ry at their head, who endeavoured to entertain 
their guest in a manner that should most conduce 
to the indulgence of their own waggish propensi- 
ties. 

The conversation between Barnstable and his 
superior soon ended ; when the former, beckoning 
to Griffith, passed the wondering group who had 
collected around the capstern, awaiting his leisure 
to greet him more cordially, and led the way to 
the ward-room, with the freedom of one who felt 
himself no stranger. As this unsocial manner 
formed no part of the natural temper or ordinary 
deportment of the man, the remainder of the offi- 
cers suffered their first lieutenant to follow him 
alone, believing that duty required that their in- 




THE PILOT. 


79 


terview should be private. Barnstable was de- 
termined that it should be so, at all events; for he 
seized the lamp from the mess-table, and entered 
the state-room of his friend, closing the door be- 
hind them, and turning the key. When they w ere 
both within its narrow limits — pointing to the only 
chair the little apartment contained, with a sort of 
instinctive deference to his companion’s rank — the 
commander of the schooner threw himself careless- 
ly on a sea-chest, and, placing the lamp on the ta- 
ble, he opened the discourse as follows : 

u What a night we had of it ! twenty times I 
thought I could see the sea breaking over you, and 
I had given you over as drowned men, or, what is 
worse, as men driven ashore, to be led to the 
prison-ships of these islanders, when I saw your 
lights in answer to my gun. Had you hoisted the 
conscience out of a murdefer, you wouldn’t have 
relieved him more than you did me, by showing 
that bit of tallow and cotton, tip’d with flint and 
steel. But, Griffith, I have a tale to tell of a dif- 
ferent kind — ” 

“ Of how you slept, when you found yourself in 
deep water, and how your crew strove to outdo 
their commander, and how all succeeded so well, 
that there was a gray-head on board here, that be- 
gan to shake with displeasure,” interrupted Grif- 
fith ; u truly, Dick, you will get into lubberly ha- 
bits on board that bubble in which you float about, 
where all hands go to sleep as regularly as the in- 
habitants of a poultry j ard go to roost.” 

“ Not so bad, not half so bad, Ned,” returned 
the other laughing ; u I keep as sharp a discipline 
as if we wore a flag. To be sure, forty men can’t 
make as much parade as three or four hundred ; 
but as for making or taking in sail, I am your bel- 
ter any day.” 


80 


THE PILOT. 


“ Ay, oecause a pocket handkerchief is soones 
opened and shut than a tabie -cloth. But I hold 
it to be unseamanlike, to leave any vessel without 
human eyes, and those open, to watch whether she 
goes east or west, north or south.” 

“ And who is guilty of such a dead-man’s 
watch ?” 

u Why, they say on board here, that when it 
blows hard, you seat the man you call long Tom 
by the side of the tiller, tell him to keep her head- 
to-sea, and then pipe all hands to their night-caps, 
where you all remain, comfortably stowed in your 
hammocks, until you are awakened by the snoring 
of your helmsman.” 

u ’Tis a damned scandalous insinuation,” cried 
Barnstable, with an indignation that he in vain at- 
tempted to conceal. “ Who gives currency to 
such a libel, Mr. Griffith ?” 

u I had it of the marine,” said his friend, losing 
the archness that had instigated him to worry his 
companion, in the vacant air of one who was care- 
less of every thing ; “ but I don’t believe half of 
it myself — I have no doubt you all had your eyes 
open last night, whatever you might have been 
about this morning.” 

“ Ah ! this morning ! there was an oversight^ 
indeed ! But I was studying a new signal-book* 
Griffith, that has a thousand times more interest 
for me than all the bunting you can show, from the 
head to the heel of your masts.” 

u What ! have you found out the Englishman’s 
private talk ?” 

u No, no,” said the other, stretching forth his 
hand, and grasping the arm of his friend. u I met, 
iast night, one, on those cliffs, who has proved her- 
self what I always believed her to be and loved her 
for, a girl of quick thought and bold spirit.” 


THE PILOT 


81 


“ Of whom do you speak ?” 
u Of Katherine — ” 

Griffith started from his chair involuntarily, at 
the sound of this name, and the blood passed quick- 
ly through the shades of his countenance, leaving 
it now pale as death, and then burning as if op- 
pressed by a torrent from his heart. Struggling to 
overcome an emotion, which he appeared ashamed 
to betray even to the friend he jnost loved, the 
young man soon recovered himself so far as to re- 
sume his seat, when he asked, gloomily — 
u Was she alone 

“ She was ; but she left with me this paper, and 
this invaluable book, which is worth a library ol 
all other works.” 

The eye of Griffith rested vacantly on the trea- 
sure that the other valued so highly, but his hand 
seized, eagerly, the open letter which was laid on 
the table for his perusal. The reader will at once 
understand, that it was in the hand- writing of a fe- 
male, and that it was the communication Barnsta- 
ble had received from his betrothed, on the cliffs. 
Its contents were as follows : 

u Believing that Providence may conduct me 
where we shall meet, or whence I may be able to 
transmit to you this account, 1 have prepared a 
short statement of the situation of Cecilia Howard 
and myself ; not, however, to urge you and Grif- 
fith to any rash or foolish hazards, but that you 
may both sit down, and, after due consultation, de- 
termine on what is proper for our relief. 

“ By this time, you must understand the cha- 
racter of Colonel Howard too well to expect he 
will ever consent to give his niece to a rebel. He 
has already sacrificed to his loyalty, as he calls it, 
(but I whisper to Cecilia, ’tis his treason,) not on^ 
ly his native country, but no small part of his for 


82 


THE PILOT. 


tune also. In the frankness of my disposition, (you 
know my frankness, Barnstable, but too well !) I 
confessed to him, after the defeat of the mad at- 
tempt Griffith made to carry off Cecilia, in Caroli- 
na, that I had been foolish enough to enter into 
some weak promise to the brother officer who had 
accompanied the young sailor in his traitorous vi- 
sits to the plantation. Heigho ! I sometimes think 
it would have been better for us all, if your ship had 
never been chased into the river, or after she was 
there, if Griffith had made no attempt to renew his 
acquaintance with my cousin. The colonel re- 
ceived the intelligence as such a guardian would 
hear that his ward was about to throw away thirty 
thousand dollars and herself on a traitor to his king 
and country. I defended you stoutly : said that 
you had no king, as the tie was dissolved ; that 
America was your country, and that your profes- 
sion was honourable ; but it would not all do. 
He called you rebel ; that I was used to. He 
said you were a traitor ; that, in his vocabula- 
ry, amounts to the same thing. He even hinted 
that you were a coward ; and that I knew to be 
false, and did not hesitate to tell him so. He used 
fifty opprobrious terms that I cannot remember, 
but among others were the beautiful epithets of 
c disorganizer, ’ c leveller,’ c democrat,’ c and Jaco- 
bite,’ (I hope he did not mean a monk !) In short, 
he acted Colonel Howard in a rage. But as his 
dominion does not, like that of his favourite kings, 
continue from generation to generation, and one 
short year will release me from his power, and 
leave me mistress of my own actions, that is, if 
your fine promises are to be believed, I bore it 
all very well, being resolved to suffer any thing 
but martyrdom, rather than abandon Cecilia; She, 
dear girl, has much more to distress her than 1 can 


THE PILOT. 


83 


have ; she is not only the ward of Colonel How- 
ard, but his niece, and his sole heir. I am per- 
suaded this latter circumstance makes no differ- 
ence in either her conduct or her feelings, but he 
appears to think it gives him a right to tyrannize 
over her on all occasions. After all, Colonel How- 
ard is a gentleman when you do not put him in a 
passion, and, I believe, a thoroughly honest man, 
and Cecilia even loves him. But a man who is 
driven from his country, in his sixtieth year, with 
the loss of near half his fortune, is not apt to ca- 
nonize those who compel the change, 

u It seems that when the Howards lived on this 
island, a hundred years ago, they dwelt in the 
county of Northumberland. Hither, then, he 
brought us, when political events, and his dread of 
becoming the uncle to a rebel, induced him to 
abandon America, as he says, for ever. We have 
been here now three months, and for two thirds 
of that time we lived in tolerable comfort ; but lat 
terly, the papers have announced the arrival of the 
ship and your schooner in France, and from that 
moment as strict a watch has been kept over us, 
as if we had meditated a renewal of the Carolina 
flight. The colonel, on his arrival here, hired an 
old building, that is part house, part abbey, part 
castle, and all prison, because it is said to have 
once belonged to an ancestor of his. In this de- 
lightful dwelling there are many cages, that will 
secure more uneasy birds than we are. About 
a foitnight ago an alarm was given in a neighbour- 
ing village which is situated on the shore, that two 
American vessels, answering your description, had 
been seen hovering along the coast ; and, as the 
people in this quarter dream of nothing but that 
terrible fellow Paul Jones, it was said that he was 
on board one of them. But I believe that Colonel 


84 


THE PILOT. 


Howard suspects who you really are. He was ve- 
ry minute in his inquiries, I hear ; and since theis^ 
has established a sort of gariison in the house, un- 
der the pretence of defending it against marauders^ 
like those who are said to have laid my Lady Sel- 
kirk under contribution. 

“ Now, understand me, Barnstable ; on no ac- 
count would I have you risk yourself on shore ; 
neither must there be blood spilt, if you love me ; 
but that you may know what sort of a place we 
are confined in, and by whom surrounded, I will 
describe both our prison and the gariison. The 
whole building is of stone, and not to be attempt- 
ed with slight means. It has windings and turn- 
ings, both internally and externally, that would re- 
quire more skill than I possess to make intelligi- 
ble ; but the rooms we inhabit are in the upper or 
third floor of a wing, that you may call a tower, if 
you are in a romantic mood, but which, in truth, is 
nothing but a wing. Would to God 1 could fly 
with it ! If any accident should bring you in sight 
of the dwelling, you will know our rooms by the 
three smoky vanes that whiflie about its pointed 
roof, and also, by the windows in that story being 
occasionally open. Opposite to our windows, at 
the distance of half a mile, is a retired, unfrequent- 
ed ruin, concealed, in a great measure, from ob- 
servation by a wood, and affording none of the best 
accommodations, it is true, but shelter in some of 
its vaults or apartments. I have prepared, accord- 
ing to the explanations you once gave me on this 
subject, a set of small signals, of differently colour- 
ed silks, and a little dictionary of all the phrases 
that I could imagine as useful to refer to, properly 
numbered to correspond with the key and the 
flags, all of which I shall send you with this letter. 
You must prepare your own flags, and of course I 


THE PILOT, 


85 


retain mine, as well as a copy of the key and book. 
If opportunity should ever offer, we can have, at 
least, a pleasant discourse together ; you from the 
top of the old tower in the ruins, and I from the 
east window of my dressing-room ! But now for 
the garrison. In addition to the commandant, Co- 
lonel Howard, who retains all the fierceness of his 
former military profession, there is, as his second 
in authority, that bane of Cecilia’s happiness, Kit 
Dillon, with his long Savannah face, scornful eyes 
of black, and skin of the same colour. This gen- 
tleman, you know, is a distant relative of the How- 
ards, and wishes to be more nearly allied. He is 
poor, it is true, but then, as the colonel daily re- 
marks, he is a good and loyal subject, and no re- 
bel. When I asked why he was not in arms in 
these stirring times, contending for the prince he 
loves so much, the colonel answers that it is not 
his profession, that he has been educated for the 
law, and was destined to fill one of the highest ju- 
dicial stations in the colonies, and that he hoped 
he should yet live to see him sentence certain 
nameless gentlemen to condign punishment. This 
was consoling, to be sure, but I bore it. How- 
ever, he left Carolina with us, and here he is, and 
here he is likely to continue, unless you can catch 
him, and anticipate his judgment on himself. This 
gentleman the colonel has long desired to see the 
husband of Cecilia, and since the news of your be- 
ing on the coast, the siege has nearly amounted to 
a storm. The consequences are, that my cousin 
at first kept her room, and then the colonel kept 
her there, and even now she is precluded from 
leaving the wing we inhabit. In addition to these 
two principal gaolers, we have four men servants, 
two black and two white ; and an officer and twen- 
ty soldiers from the neighbouring town are billeted 

8 


86 


THE PILOT. 


on us, by particular desire, until the coast is de 
dared free from pirates ! yes, that is the musical 
name they give you — and when their own people 
land, and plunder, and rob, and murder the men 
and insult the women, they are called heroes ! It’s 
a fine thing to be able to invent names and make 
dictionaries — and it must be your fault, if mine 
has been framed for no purpose. I declare, when 
I recollect all the insulting and cruel things I hear 
in this country of my own and her people, it makes 
me lose my temper, and forget my sex ; but do not 
let my ill humour urge you to any thing rash ; re- 
member your life, remember their prisons, re- 
member your reputation, but do not, do not forget 
your Katherine Plowden.” 

“ P. S. I had almost forgotten to tell you, that 
in the signal-book you will find a more particular 
description of our prison, where it stands, and a 
drawing of the grounds, &c.” 

When Griffith concluded this epistle, he return- 
ed it to the man to whom it was addressed, and 
fell back in his chair, in an attitude that denoted 
deep reflection. 

“ I knew she was here, or I should have ac- 
cepted the command offered to me by our com- 
missioners in Paris,” he at length uttered ; “ and 
I thought that some lucky chance might throw her 
in my way ; but this is bringing us close, indeed ! 
This intelligence must be acted on, and that 
promptly. Poor girl, what does she not suffer in 
such a situation !” 

“ What a beautiful hand she writes !” exclaimed 
Barnstable ; “ ’tis as clear, and as pretty, and as 
small, as her own delicate fingers. Griff, what a 
log-book she would keep !” 

u Cecilia Howard touch the coarse leaves of a 


THE PILOT. 


87 


log-book !” cried the other in amazement ; but 
perceiving Barnstable to be poring over the con- 
tents of his mistress’s letter, he smiled at their 
mutual folly, and continued silent. After a short 
time spent in cool reflection, Griffith required of 
his friend the nature and circumstances of his in- 
terview with Katherine Plowden. Barnstable re- 
lated it, briefly, as it occurred, in the manner al- 
ready known to the reader. 

“ Then,” said Griffith, u Merry is the only one, 
besides ourselves, who knows of this meeting, and 
he will be too chary of the reputation of his kins- 
woman to mention it.” 

u Her reputation needs no shield, Mr. Griffith,” 
cried her lover ; u ’tis as spotless as the canvass 
above your head, and — ” 

“ Peace, dear Richard ; I entreat your pardon ; 
my words may have conveyed more than I in- 
tended ; but it is important that our measures 
should be secret, as well as prudently concerted.” 
“ We must get them both off,” returned Barn- 
stable, forgetting his displeasure the moment it 
was exhibited, u and that too before the old man 
takes it into his wise head to leave the coast. Did 
you ever get a sight of his instructions, or does he 
keep silent ?” 

“ As the grave. This is the first time we have 
left port, that he has not conversed freely with me 
on the nature of the cruise ; but not a syllable has 
been exchanged between us on the subject, since 
we sailed from Brest.” 

“ Ah ! that is your Jersey bashfulness,” said 
Barnstable ; u wait till I come alongside him, 
with my eastern curiosity, and I pledge myself to 
get it out of him in an hour.” 

u ’Twill be diamond cut diamond, I doubt,” said 
Griffith, laughing ; “ you will find him as acute at 


88 


THE PILOT. 


evasion, as you can possibly be at a cross-examina- 
tion.” 

u At any rate, he gives me a chance to-day , 
you know, I suppose, that he sent for me to at- 
tend a consultation of his officers on important 
matters.” 

u I did not,” returned Griffith, fixing his eyes 
intently on the speaker ; u what has he to offer ?” 

a Nay, that you must ask your pilot ; for while 
talking to me, the old man would turn and look at 
the stranger, every minute, as if watching for sig- 
nals how to steer.” 

“ There is a mystery about that man, and oui 
connexion with him, that I cannot fathom,” said 
Griffith. “ But I hear the voice of Manual call- 
ing for me ; we are wanted in the cabin. Remem- 
ber, you do not leave the ship without seeing me 
again.” 

“ No, no, my dear fellow, from the public we 
must retire to another private consultation.” 

The young men arose, and Griffith, throwing 
off the round-about in which he had appeared on 
deck, drew on a coat of more formal appearance, 
and taking a sword carelessly in his hand, they 
proceeded together along the passage already de- 
scribed, to the gun-deck, where they entered, with 
the proper ceremonials, into the principal cabin of 
the frigate. 




CHAPTER VIL 


“ Sorapronius, speak.” 

Cato 

The arrangements for the consultation were 
brief and simple. The veteran commander of the 
frigate received his orders with punctilious respect, 
and pointing to the chairs that were placed around 
the table, which was a fixture in the centre of his 
cabin, he silently seated himself, and his example 
was followed by all, without further ceremony. 
In taking their stations, however, a quiet, but rigid 
observance was paid to the rights of seniority and 
rank. On the right of the Captain was placed 
Griffith, as next in authority ; and opposite to him 
was seated the commander of the schooner. The 
officer of marines, who was included in the num- 
ber, held the next situation in point of precedence, 
the same order being observed to the bottom of 
the table, which was occupied by a hard-featured, 
square-built, athletic man, who held the office of 
sailing-master. When order was restored, after 
the short interruption of taking their places, the 
officer who had required the advice of his inferiors 
opened the business on which he demanded their 
opinions. 

,c My instructions direct me, gentlemen,” I10 
8 * 


90 


THE PILOT. 


said, u after making the coast of England, to run 
the land down — ” 

The hand of Griffith was elevated respectfully 
for silence, and the veteran paused, with a look 
that inquired the reason of his interruption. 

u We are not alone,” said the lieutenant, glanc- 
ing his eye towards the part of the cabin where 
the pilot stood, leaning on one of the guns, in an 
attitude of easy indulgence. 

The stranger moved not at this direct hint ; nei- 
ther did his eye change from its close survey of a 
chart that lay near him on the deck. The captain 
dropped his voice to tones of cautious respect, as 
he replied — 

■A 

u 5 Tis only Mr. Gray. His services will be ne- 
cessary on the occasion, and therefore nothing need 
be concealed from him.” 

Glances of surprise were exchanged among the 
young men, but Griffith bowing his silent acqui- 
escence in the decision of his superior, the latter 
proceeded — 

u I was ordered to watch for certain signals from 
the headlands that we made, and was furnished 
with the best of charts, and such directions as ena- 
bled us to stand into the bay we entered last night. 
We have now obtained a pilot, and one who has 
proved himself a skilful man ; such a one, gentle- 
men, as no officer need hesitate to rely on, in any 
emergency, either on account of his integrity or his 
knowledge.” 

The veteran paused, and turned his looks on the 
countenances of the listeners, as if to collect their 
sentiments on this important point. Receiving no 
other reply than the one conveyed by the silent 
inclinations of the heads of his hearers, the com- 
mander resumed his explanations, referring to an 
open paper in his hand — 


91 


THE PILOT. 

u It is known to you all, gentlemen, that the 
unfortunate question of retaliation has been much 
agitated between the two governments, our own 
and that of the enemy. For this reason, and for 
certain political purposes, it has become an object 
of solicitude with our commissioners in Paris, to 
obtain a few individuals of character from the ene- 
my, who may be held as a check on their proceed- 
ings, at the same time it brings the evils of war, 
from our own shores, home to those who have 
caused it. An opportunity now offers to put this 
plan in execution, and I have collected you, in or- 
der to consult on the means.” 

A profound silence succeeded this unexpected 
communication of the object of their cruise. After 
a short pause, their captain added, addressing him- 
self to the sailing-master — 

“ What course would you advise me to pursue, 
Mr. Boltrope ?” 

The weather-beaten seaman who was thus called 
on to break through the difficulties of a knotty 
point, with his opinion, laid one of his short, bony 
hands on the table, and began to twirl an inkstand 
with great industry, while with the other he con- 
veyed a pen to his mouth, which was apparently 
masticated with all the relish that he could possi- 
bly have felt had it been a leaf from the famous 
Virginian weed. But perceiving that he was ex- 
pected to answer, after looking first to his right 
hand, and then to his left, he spoke as follows, in a 
hoarse, thick voice, in which the fogs of the ocean 
seemed to have united with sea-damps and colds, 
to destroy every thing like melody — 

u If this matter is ordered, it is to be done, 1 
suppose,” he said ; u for the old rule runs, c obey 
orders, if you break owners though the maxim, 
which says, c one hand for the owner, and Pother 


92 


THE PILOT. 


for yourself,’ is quite as good, and has saved many 
a hearty fellow from a fall that would have ba- 
lanced the purser’s books. Not that I mean a pur- 
ser’s books are not as good as any other man’s, 
but that when a man is dead, his account must be 
closed, or there will be a false muster. Well, if 
the thing is to be done, the next question is, how 
is it to be done ? There is many a man that knows 
there is too much canvass on a ship, who can’t tell 
how to shorten sail. Well, then, if the thing is re- 
ally to be done, we must either land a gang to seize 
them, or we must show false lights, and sham co- 
lours, to lead them off to the ship. As for land- 
ing, Captain Munson, I can only speak for one 
man, and that is myself, which is to say, that if 
you run the ship with her jib-boom into the king 
of England’s parlour windows, why, I’m consent- 
ing, nor do I care how much of his crockery is 
cracked in so doing ; but as to putting the print of 
my foot on one of his sandy beaches, if I do, that 
is always speaking for only one man, and saving 
your presence, may I hope to be d d.” 

The young men smiled as the tough old seaman 
uttered his sentiments so frankly, rising with his 
subject, to that which with him was the climax of 
all discussion ; but his commander, who w 7 as but a 
more improved scholar from the same rough school, 
appeared to understand his arguments entirely, and 
without altering a muscle of his rigid countenance, 
he required the opinion of the junior lieutenant. 

The young man spoke firmly, but modestly, 
though the amount of what he said was not much 
more distinct than that uttered by the master, and 
was very much to the same purpose, with the ex- 
ception, that he appeared to entertain no personal 
reluctance to trusting himself on dry ground. 

The opinions of the others grew gradually more 

X 

' 


THE PILOT. 


93 


explicit and clear, as they ascended in the scale of 
rank, until it came to the turn of the captain of 
marines to speak. There was a trifling exhibition 
of professional pride about the soldier, in delivering 
his sentiments on a subject that embraced a good 
deal more of his peculiar sort of duty than ordina- 
rily occurred in the usual operations of the frigate. 

u It appears to me, sir, that the success of this 
expedition depends altogether upon the manner in 
which it is conducted.” After this lucid opening, 
the soldier hesitated a moment, as if to collect his 
ideas for a charge that should look down all oppo- 
sition, and proceeded. u The landing, of course, 
will be effected on a fair beach, under cover of the 
frigate’s guns, and could it be possibly done, the 
schooner should be anchored in such a manner as 
to throw in a flanking fire on the point of debark- 
ation. The arrangements for the order of march 
must a good deal depend on the distance to go 
over ; though I should think, sir, an advanced party 
of seamen, to act as pioneers for the column of 
marines, should be pushed a short distance in front, 
while the baggage and baggage-guard might rest 
upon the frigate, until the enemy w 7 as driven into 
the interior, when it could advance without dan- 
ger. There should be flank-guards, under the or- 
ders of two of the oldest midshipmen ; and a light 
corps might be formed of the top-men, to co ope- 
rate with the marines. Of course, sir, Mr. Griffith 
will lead, in person, the musket-men and boarders, 
armed with their long pikes, whom I presume he 
will hold in reserve, as 1 trust my military claims 
and experience entitle me to the command of the 
main body.” 

u Well done, field marshal !” cried Barnstable* 
with a glee that seldom regarded time or place ; 
“ you should never let salt-water mould your but- 


94 


THE PILOT. 


tons, but in Washington’s camp, ay ! and in Wash- 
ington’s tent, you should swing your hammock in 
future. Why, sir, do you think we are about to 
invade England ?” 

u I know that every military movement should 
be executed with precision, Captain Barnstable,” 
returned the marine. u I am too much accus- 
tomed to hear the sneers of the sea-officers, to re- 
gard what I know proceeds from ignorance. If 
Captain Munson is disposed to employ me and my 
command in this expedition, I trust he will disco- 
ver that marines are good for something more than 
to mount guard or pay salutes.” Then, turning 
haughtily from his antagonist, he continued to ad- 
dress himself to their common superior, as if dis- 
daining further intercourse with one who, from the 
nature of the case, must be unable to comprehend 
the force of what he said. “ It will be prudent, 
Captain Munson, to send out a party to recon- 
noitre, before we march ; and as it may be neces- 
sary to defend ourselves in case of a repulse, I 
would beg leave to recommend that a corps be pro- 
vided with entrenching tools, to accompany the 
expedition. They would be extremely useful, sir, 
in assisting to throw up field-works ; though, I 
doubt not, tools might be found in abundance in 
this country, and labourers impressed for the ser- 
vice, on an emergency. — ” 

This w r as too much for the risibility of Barnsta- 
ble, who broke forth in a burst of scornful laugh- 
ter, which no one saw proper to interrupt ; though 
Griffith, on turning his head, to conceal the smile 
that was gathering on his own face, perceived the 
fierce glance which the pilot threw at the merry 
seaman, and wondered at its significance and impa- 
tience. When Captain Munson thought that the 
mirth of the lieutenant was concluded, he mildly 


THE PILOT. 


95 


desired his reasons for amusing himself so exceed 
ingly with the plans of the marine. 

“ ? Tis a chart for a campaign !” cried Barnsta- 
ble, u and should be sent off express to Congress, 
before the Frenchmen are brought into the field!” 
“ Have you any better plan to propose, Mr. 
Barnstable ?” inquired the patient commander. 

a Better ! ay, one that will take no time, and 
cause no trouble, to execute it,” cried the other; 
u ’tis a seaman’s job, sir, and must be done with a 
seaman’s means.” 

“ Pardon me, Captain Barnstable,” interrupted 
the marine, whose jocular vein was entirely ab- 
sorbed in his military pride ; u if there be service 
to be done on shore, I claim it as my right to be 
employed.” 

“ Claim what you will, soldier, but how will you 
carry on the war with a. parcel of fellows w 7 ho 
don’t know one end of a boat from the other,” 
returned the reckless sailor. “ Do you think, that 
a barge or a cutter is to be beached in the same 
manner you ground firelock, by word of command ? 
No, no, Captain Manual— I honour your courage, 

for 1 have seen it tried, but d e if — ” 

u You forget, we wait for your project, Mr. 
Barnstable,” said the veteran. 

“I crave your patience, sir; but no project is 
necessary. Point out the bearings and distance oi 
the place where the men you want are to be found, 
and I will take the heel of the gale, and run into the 
land, always speaking for good water and no rocks. 
Mr. Pilot, you will accompany me, for you carry 
as true a map of the bottom of these seas in your 
head as ever was made of dry ground. I will look 
out for good anchorage, or if the wind should blow 
off shore, let the schooner stand off and on, till we 
should be ready to take the broad sea again. I 


96 


THE PILOT. 


would land, out of my whale-boat, with long Tom 
and a boat’s crew, and finding out the place you 
will describe, w r e shall go up, and take the men 
you want, and bring them aboard. It’s all plain- 
sailing ; though, as it is a well-peopled country, 
it may be necessary to do our shore work in the 
dark.” 

a Mr. Griffith, we only wait for your senti- 
ments,” proceeded the captain, “ when, by com- 
paring opinions, we may decide on the most pru- 
dent course.” 

The first lieutenant had been much absorbed 
in thought, during the discussion of the subject, 
and might have been, on that account, better pre- 
pared to give his opinion with effect. Pointing 
to the man who yet stood behind him, leaning on 
a gun, he commenced by asking — 

“ Is it your intention that man shall accompany 
the party ?” 

“ It is.” 

u And from him you expect the necessary in- 
formation, sir, to guide our movements ?” 
u You are altogether right.” 
u If, sir, he has but a moiety of the skill on the 
land that he possesses on the water, I will answer 
for his success,” returned the lieutenant, bowing 
slightly to the stranger, who received the compli- 
ment by a cold inclination of his head. u I must 
desire the indulgence of both Mr. Barnstable and 
Captain Manual,” he continued, “ and claim the 
command as of right belonging to my rank.” 

“ It belongs naturally to the schooner,” exclaim- 
ed the impatient Barnstable. 

u There may be enough for us all to do,” said 
Griffith, elevating a finger to the other, in a man- 
ner, and with an impressive look, that was in- 
stantly comprehended. u I neither agree wholly 


THE PILOT. 


97 


with the one nor the other of these gentlemen, 
’Tis said, that since our appearance on the coast, 
the dwellings of many of the gentry are guarded 
by small detachments of soldiers from the neigh- 
bouring towns.” 

u Who says it ?” asked the pilot, advancing 
among them with a suddenness that caused a ge- 
neial silence. 

“ I say it, sir,” returned the lieutenant, when 
the momentary surprise had passed away. 

“ Can you vouch for it ?” 

u I can.” 

cc Name a house, or an individual, that is thus 
protected.” 

Griffith gazed at the man who thus forgot him- 
self in the midst of a consultation like the present, 
and yielding to his native pride, hesitated to re- 
ply. But mindful of the declarations of his cap- 
tain, and the recent services of the pilot, he at 
length said, with a little embarrassment of man- 
ner — 

“ I know it to be the fact, in the dwelling of a 
Colonel Howard, who resides but a few leagues to 
the north of us.” 

The stranger started at the name, and then 
raising his eye keenly to the face of the young 
man, appeared to study his thoughts in his varying 
countenance. But the action, and the pause that 
followed, were of short continuance. His lip 
slightly curled, whether in scorn or with a con- 
cealed smile, would have been difficult to say, so 
closely did it resemble both, and as he dropped 
quietly back to his place at the gun, he said — 

u ’Tis more than probable* you are right, sir ; 
and if I might presume to advise Captain Mun- 
son, it would be to lay great weight on your 
opinion.” 


9 


9S 


THE PILOT. 


Griffith turned, to see if he could comprehend 
more meaning in the manner of the stranger than 
his words expressed, but his face was again shaded 
by bis hand, and his eyes were once more fixed 
on the chart with the same vacant abstraction as 
before, 

u I have said, sir, that I agree wholly neither 
with Mr. Barnstable nor Captain Manual,” con- 
tinued the lieutenant, after a short pause. u The 
command of this party is mine, as the senior offi- 
cer, and I must beg leave to claim it. I certainly 
do not think the preparation that Captain Manual 
advises necessary ; neither would I undertake the 
duty with as little caution as Mr. Barnstable pro- 
poses. If there are soldiers to be encountered, 
we should have soldiers to oppose to them ; but 
as it must be sudden boat-w T ork, and regular evo- 
lutions must give place to a seaman’s bustle, a sea- 
officer should command. Is my request granted, 
Captain Munson ?” 

The veteran replied, without hesitation — 

u It is, sir ; it was my intention to offer you 
the service, and I rejoice to see you accept it so 
cheerfully.” 

Griffith with difficulty concealed the satisfaction 
with which he listened to his commander, and a 
radiant smile illumined his pale features, when he 
observed — 

“ With me then, sir, let the responsibility rest. 
I request that Captain Manual, with twenty men, 
may be put under my orders, if that gentleman 
does not dislike the duty.” The marine bowed 
and cast a glance of triumph at Barnstable u I 
will take my own cutter, with her tried crew, go 
on board the schooner, and when the wind lulls, 
we will run m to the land, and then be governed 
by circumstances.” 


THE PILOT. 


99 


The commander of the schooner threw back the 
triumphant look of the marine, and exclaimed, in 
his joyous manner — 

“ ’Tis a good plan, and done like a seaman, Mr. 
Griffith. Ay, ay, let the schooner be employed, 
and if it be necessary, you shall see her anchored 
in one of their duck-ponds, with her broadside to 
bear on the parlour-windows of the best house in 
the island ! But twenty marines ! they will cause 
a jam in my little craft. ” 

u Not a man less than twenty would be pru- 
dent,” returned Griffith. u More service may of- 
fer than that we seek.” 

Barnstable well understood his allusion, but still 
he replied — 

“ Make it seamen, and I will give you room for 
thirty. But these soldiers never know how to 
stow away their arms and legs, unless at a drill. 
One will take the room of two sailors ; they swing 
their hammocks athwart-ships, heads to leeward, 
and then turn-out wrong end uppermost at the call. 
Why, damn it, sir, the chalk and rotten-stone of 
twenty soldiers will chock my hatches !” 

u Give me the launch, Captain Munson !” ex- 
claimed the indignant marine, u and we will follow 
Mr. Griffith in an open boat, rather than put Cap- 
tain Barnstable to so much inconvenience.” 

“ No, no, Manual,” cried the other, extending 
his muscular arm across the table, with an open 
palm, to the soldier ; u you would all become so 
many Jonahs in uniform, and I doubt whether the 
fish could digest your cartridge-boxes and bayonet- 
belts. You shall go with me, and learn, with your 
own eyes, whether we keep the cat’s-watch aboard 
the Ariel that you joke about . 55 

The laugh was general, at the expense ot the 
soldier, if we except the pilot and the commander 


,00 


THE PILOT. 


of the frigate. The former was a silent, and ap- 
parently an abstracted, but in reality a deeply in- 
terested listener to the discourse ; and there were 
moments when he bent his looks on the speakers, 
as if he sought more in their characters than was 
exhibited by the gay trifling of the moment. Cap- 
tain Munson seldom allowed a muscle of his wrin- 
kled features to disturb their repose ; and if he 
had not the real dignity to repress the untimely 
mirth of his officers, he had too much good nature 
to wish to disturb their harmless enjoyments. He 
expressed himself satisfied with the proposed ar- 
rangements, and beckoned to his steward to place 
before them the usual beverage, with which all 
their consultations concluded. 

The sailing-master appeared to think that the 
same order was to be observed in their potations 
as in council, and helping himself to an allow- 
ance which retained its hue even in its diluted 
state, he first raised it to the light, and then ob- 
served — 

“ This ship’s-water is nearly the colour of rum 
of itself ; if it only had its flavour, w 7 hat a set of 
hearty dogs we should be. Mr. Griffith, I find 
you are willing to haul your land-tacks aboard. 
Well, it’s natural for youth to love the earth ; but 
there is one man, and he is sailing-master of this 
ship, who saw land enough, last night, to last him 
a twelvemonth. But if you will go, here’s a good 
land-fall, and a better offing to you. Captain 
Munson, my respects to you. I say, sir, if we 
should keep the ship more to the south’ard, it’s 
my opinion, and that’s but one man’s, w r e should 
fall in with some of the enemy’s homeward-bound 
West-lndiamen, and find wheiewithal to keep the 
life in us when we see fit to go ashore ourselves.” 

As the tough old sailor made frequent applica- 


THE PILOT. 


101 


tion of the glass to his mouth with the one hand, 
and kept a firm hold of the decanter with the 
other, during this speech, his companions were 
compelled to listen to his eloquence, or depart with 
their thirst unassuaged. Barnstable, however, 
quite coolly dispossessed the tar of the bottle, and 
mixing for himself a more equal potation, observed, 
in the act — 

u That is the most remarkable glass of grog you 
have, Boltrope, that I ever sailed with ; it draws 
as little water as the Ariel, and is as hard to find 
the bottom. If your spirit room enjoys the same 
sort of engine to replenish it, as you pump out 
your rum, Congress will sail this frigate cheaply.’ 5 
The other officers helped themselves with still 
greater moderation, Griffith barely moistening his 
lips, and the pilot rejecting the offered glass alto- 
gether. Captain Munson continued standing, and 
his officers, perceiving that their presence was no 
longer necessary, bowed, and took their leave. 
As Griffith was retiring last, he felt a hand laid 
lightly on his shoulder, and turning, perceived that 
he was detained by the pilot. 

u Mr. Griffith,” he said, when they were quite 
alone with the commander of the frigate, u the 
occurrences of the last night should teach us con- 
fidence in each other ; without it, we go on a dan- 
gerous and fruitless errand.” 

cc Is the hazard equal ?” returned the youth. 
u I am known to all to be the man I seem — am in 
the service of my country — belong to a family, and 
enjoy a name, that is a pledge for my loyalty to 
the cause of America — and yet I trust myself on 
hostile ground, in the midst of enemies, with a 
weak arm, and under circumstances where trea- 
chery would prove my ruin. Who and what is 
the man who 4ius enjoys your confidence, Captain 

9 * 


102 


THE PILOT. 


Munson ? I ask the question less for myself than 
for the gallant men who will fearlessly follow 
wherever I lead .’ 5 

A shade of dark displeasure crossed the features 
of the stranger, at one part of this speech, and at its 
close he sunk into deep thought. The commander* 
however, replied — 

u There is a show of reason in your question, 
Mr. Griffith — and yet you are not the man to be 
told that implicit obedience is what I have a right 
to expect. I have not your pretensions, sir, by 
birth or education, and yet Congress have not seen 
proper to overlook my years and services. I com- 
mand this frigate — ” 

u Say no more,” interrupted the pilot. u There 
is reason in his doubts, and they shall be appeased. 
I like the proud and fearless eye of the young man, 
and while he dreads a gibbet from my hands, I 
will show him how to repose a noble confidence. 
Read this, sir, and tell me if you distrust me 
now ?” 

While the stranger spoke, he thrust his hand 
into the bosom of his dress, and drew forth a parch- 
ment, decorated with ribands, and bearing a mas- 
sive seal, which he opened, and laid on the table 
before the youth. As he pointed with his fingei 
impressively, to different parts of the writing, his 
eye kindled with a look of unusual fire, and there 
was a faint tinge discernible on his pallid features 
when he spoke. 

“ See !” he said, u royalty itself does not hesi- 
tate to hear witness in my favour, and that is not a 
name to occasion dread to an American.” 

Griffith gazed with wonder at the fair signature 
of the unfortunate Louis, which graced the bottom 
of the parchment ; but when his eye obeyed the 
signal of the stranger, and rested on the body of 


THIS PILOT. 


103 


the instrument, he started back from the table, and 
fixing his animated eyes on the pilot, he cried, 
while a glow of fiery courage flitted across his 
countenance — 

u Lead on ! I’ll follow you to death !’’ 

A smile of gratified exultation struggled around 
the lips of the stranger, who took the arm of the 
young man, and led him into a state-room, leaving 
the commander of the frigate, standing in his un- 
moved and quiet manner, a spectator of, but hard- 
ly an actor in the scene- 


CHAPTER VIII. 


“ Fierce bounding, forward sprung the ship. 

“ Like grayhound starting from the slip, 

“ To seize his flying prey.” 

Lord of the Isles 


Although the subject of the consultation re- 
mained a secret with those whose opinions were re 
quired, yet enough of the result leaked out among 
the subordinate officers, to throw the whole crew 
into a state of eager excitement. The rumour 
spread itself along the decks of the frigate, with 
the rapidity of an alarm, that an expedition was to 
attempt the shore on some hidden service, dictated 
by the Congress itself ; and conjectures were made 
respecting its force and destination, with all that 
interest which might be imagined would exist 
among the men whose lives or liberties were to 
abide the issue. A gallant and reckless daring, 
mingled with the desire of novelty, however, was 
the prevailing sentiment among the crew, who 
would have received with cheers the intelligence 
that their vessel was commanded to force the pas- 
sage of the united British fleet. A few of the old- 
er and more prudent of the sailors were excep- 
tions to this thoughtless hardihood, and one or two, 
among whom the cockswain of the whaleboat was 
the most conspicuous, ventured to speak doubting, 
ly of all sorts of land service, as being of a nature 
never to be attempted by seamen- 


THE PILOT. 


105 


Captain Manual had his men paraded in the 
weather-gangway, and after a short address, calcu- 
lated to inflame their military ardour and patriot- 
ism, acquainted them that he required twenty 
volunteers, which was in truth half their number, 
for a dangerous service. After a short pause, the 
company stepped forward, like one man, and an- 
nounced themselves as ready to follow him to the 
end of the world. The marine cast a look over 
his shoulder, at this gratifying declaration, in quest 
of Barnstable ; but observing that the sailor was 
occupied with some papers, on a distant part of the 
quarter-deck, he proceeded to make a most im- 
partial division among the candidates for glory ; 
taking care at the same time, to cull his company 
in such a manner as to give himself the flower of 
his men, and, consequently, to leave the ship the 
refuse. 

While this arrangement was taking place, and 
the crew of the frigate was in this state of excite- 
ment, Griffith ascended to the deck, his counte- 
nance flushed with unusual enthusiasm, and his 
eyes beaming with a look of animation and gayety, 
that had long been strangers to the face of the 
young man. He was giving forth the few neces- 
sary orders to the seamen he was to take with him 
from the ship, when Barnstable again motioned 
him to follow, and led the way once more to the 
state-room. 

“ Let the wind blow its pipe out,” said the 
commander of the Ariel, when they were seated ; 
tc there will be no landing on the eastern coast of 
England till the sea goes down. But this Kate 
was made for a sailor’s wife ! See Griffith, what 
a set of signals she has formed, out of her ow r n 
cunning head.” 

u 1 hope your opinion may prove true, and that 


106 


THE PILOl 


you may be the happy sailor who is to wed her,’ 1 
returned the other. “ The girl has indeed dis 
covered surprising art in this business ! where could 
she have learnt the method and system so well ?” 

44 Where ! why, where she learnt better things; 
how to prize a whole-hearted seaman, for instance. 
Do you think that my tongue was jammed in my 
mouth, all the time we used to sit by the side of 
the river in Carolina, and that we found nothing 
to talk about !” 

44 Did you amuse your mistress with treatises 
on the art of navigation, and the science of sig- 
nals ?” said Griffith, smiling. 

44 I answered her questions, Mr. Griffith, as any 
civil man would to a woman he loved. The girl 
has as much curiosity as one of my own towns- 
women who has weathered cape forty without a 
husband, and her tongue goes like a dogvane in a 
calm, first one way and then another. But here 
is her dictionary. Now own, Griff., in spite of 
your college learning and sentimentals, that a wo- 
man of ingenuity and cleverness is a very good sort 
of a helpmate.” 

44 I never doubted the merits of Miss Plowden,” 
said the other, with a droll gravity that often min- 
gled with his deeper feelings, the result of a sai- 
lor’s habits, blended with native character. 44 But 
this indeed surpasses all my expectations ! Why, 
she has, in truth, made a most judicious selection 
of phrases. 4 No. 168. #### indelible 4 1 69. **** 
end only with life 4 170. **** I fear yours mis- 
leads me 4 171. — ’ ” 

44 Pshaw !” exclaimed Barnstable, snatching the 
book from before the laughing eyes of Griffith , 
44 what folly, to throw away our time now on such 
nonsense. What think you of this expedition to 
the land 


THE PILOT. 


107 


a That it may be the means of rescuing the la- 
dies, though it fail in making the prisoners we an- 
ticipate.” 

“But this pilot ! you remember that he holds 
us by our necks, and can run us all up to the yard- 
arm of some English ship, whenever he chooses to 
open his throat at their threats or bribes.” 

u It would have been better that he should have 
cast the ship ashore, when he had her entangled in 
the shoals ; it would have been our last thought to 
suspect him of treachery then,” returned Griffith. 
“ I follow him with confidence, and must believe 
that we are safer with him than we should be with- 
out him.” 

“ Let him lead to the dwelling of his fox-hunt- 
ing ministers of state,” cried Barnstable, thrusting 
his book of signals into his bosom ; “ but here is a 
chart that will show us the way to the port we 
wish to find. Let my foot once more touch terra 
firma, and you may write craven against my name, 
if that laughing vixen slips her cable before my 
eyes, and shoots into the wind’s eye again like a 
flying-fish chased by a dolphin. Mr. Griffith, we 
must have the chaplain with us to the shore.” 

“ The madness of love is driving you into the 
errors of the soldier. Would you lie-by to hear 
sermons, with a flying party like ours ?” 

u Nay, nay, we must lay-to for nothing that is 
not unavoidable ; but there are so many tacks in 
such a chase, when one has time to breathe, that we 
might as well spend our leisure in getting that fel- 
low to splice us together. He has a handy way 
with a prayer-book, and could do the job as well 
as a bishop, and I should like to be able to say, 
that this is the last time these two saucy names, 
which are written at the bottom of this letter, should 
ever be seen sailing in the company of each other.” 


108 


THE PILOT. 


u It will not do,” said his friend, shaking his 
head, and endeavouring to force a smile which his 
feelings suppressed ; “ it will not do, Richard ; we 
must yield our own inclinations to the service of 
our country ; nor is this pilot a man who will con- 
sent to be led from his purpose.” 

“ Then let him follow 7 his purpose alone,” cried 
Barnstable. “ There is no human power, always 
saving my superior officer, that shall keep me from 
throwing abroad these tiny signals, and having a 
private talk with my dark-eyed Kate. But for a 
paltry pilot ! he may luff and bear away as he 
pleases, wffiile I shall steer as true as a magnet for 
that old ruin, w T here i can bring my eyes to bear 
on that romantic wing and three smoky vanes. Not 
that I’ll forget my duty ; no, I’ll help you catch 
the Englishmen ; but when that is done, hey ! for 
Katherine Plow T den and my true love !” 

“ Hush, madcap ! the ward-room holds long 
ears, and our bulkheads grow thin by wear. I 
must keep you and myself to our duty. This is 
no children’s game that we play ; it seems the 
commissioners at Paris have thought proper to em- 
ploy a frigate in the sport.” 

Barnstable’s gayety was a little repressed by the 
grave manner of his companion ; but after reflect- 
ing a moment, he started on his feet, and made the 
usual movements for departure. 

u Whither ?” asked Griffith, gently detaining his 
impatient friend. 

u To old Moderate ; I have a proposal to make 
that may remove every difficulty.” 

“ Name it to me, then ; I am in his council, and 
may save you the trouble and mortification of a 
refusal.” 

u How many of those gentry does he wish ta 
line his cabin with ?” 


THE PILOT. 


109 


The pilot has named no less than six, all men 
of rank and consideration with the enemy. Two 
of them are peers, two more belong to the com- 
mons’ house of parliament, one is a general, and 
the sixth, like ourselves, is a sailor, and holds the 
rank of captain. They muster at a hunting seat 
near the coast, and believe me the scheme is not 
without its plausibility.” 

“ Well, then, there are two a-piece for us. You 
follow the pilot, if you will ; but let me sheer off 
for this dwelling of Colonel Howard, with my 
cockswain and boat’s-crew. I will surprise his 
house, release the ladies, and on my way back, 
lay my hands on two of the first lords I fall in with. 

I suppose, for our business, one is as good as an- 
other.” 

Griffith could not repress a faint laugh, while he 
replied — 

“ Though they are said to be each other’s 
peers, there is, I believe, some difference even in 
the quality of lords. England might thank us for 
ridding her of some among them. Neither are 
they to be found, like beggars, under every hedge.* 
No, no, the men we seek, must have something 
better than their nobility to recommend them to 
our favour. But let us examine more closely into 
this plan and map of Miss Plowden ; something 
may occur, that shall yet bring the place within 
our circuit, like a contingent duty of the cruise.” 

Barnstable reluctantly relinquished his own 
wild plan, to the more sober judgment of his friend, 
and they passed an hour together, inquiring into 
the practicability, and consulting on the means, of 
making their public duty subserve the purposes 
of their private feelings. 

The gale continued to blow heavily, during the 

10 


110 


THE PILOT. 


whole of that morning ; but towards noon, the 
usual indications of better weather became ap- 
parent. During these few hours of inaction in 
the frigate, the marines, who were drafted for ser- 
vice on the land, moved through the vessel with a 
busy and stirring air, as if they were about to par- 
ticipate in the glory and danger of the campaign 
their officer had planned, while the few seamen 
who were to accompany the expedition steadily 
paced the deck, with their hands thrust into the 
bosoms of their neat blue jackets, or, occasionally, 
stretched towards the horizon, as their fingers 
traced, for their less experienced shipmates, the 
signs of an abatement in the gale among the driv- 
ing clouds. The last lagger among the soldiers had 
appeared with his knapsack on his back in the lee- 
gangway, where his comrades were collected, arm- 
ed and accoutred for the strife, when Captain 
Munson ascended to the quarter-deck, accompa- 
nied by the stranger and his first lieutenant. A 
word was spoken by the latter in a low voice to a 
midshipman who skipped gayly along the deck, 
and presently the shrill call of the boatswain was 
heard, preceding the hoarse cry of — 
u Away there, you Tigers, away !” 

A smart roll of the drum followed, and the ma- 
rines paraded, while the six seamen who belonged 
to the cutter that owned so fierce a name, made 
their preparations for lowering their little bark 
from the quarter of the frigate into the troubled 
sea. Every thing was conducted in the most ex- 
act order, and with a coolness and skill that bid 
defiance to the turbulence of the angry elements. 
The marines were safely transported from the ship 
to the schooner, under the favouring shelter of the 
former, though the boat appeared, at times, to be 


THE PILOT. 


Ill 


seeking the cavities of the ocean, and again, to be 
riding in the clouds, as she passed from one vessel 
to the other. 

At length it was announced that the cutter was 
ready to receive the officers of the party. The 
pilot walked aside, and held private discourse, for 
a few moments, with the* commander, who listen- 
ed to his sentences with marked and singular at- 
tention. When their conference was ended, the 
veteran bared his grey head to the blasts, and of- 
fered his hand to the other, with a seaman’s frank- 
ness, mingled with the deference of an inferior. 
The compliment was courteously returned by the 
stranger, who turned quickly on his heel, and di- 
rected the attention of those who awaited his 
movements, by a significant gesture, to the gang- 
way. 

“ Come, gentlemen, let us go,” said Griffith, 
starting from a reverie, and bowing his hasty com- 
pliments to his brethren in arms. 

When it appeared that his superiors were ready 
to enter the boat, the boy, who, by nautical cour- 
tesy, was styled Mr. Merry, and who had been 
ordered to be in readiness, sprang over the side 
of the frigate, and glided into the cutter, with the 
activity of a squirrel. But the captain of marines 
paused, and cast a meaning glance at the pilot, 
whose place it was to precede him. The stranger, 
as he lingered on the deck, was examining the 
aspect of the heavens, and seemed unconscious of 
the expectations of the soldier, who gave vent to 
his impatience, after a moment’s detention, by say- 
ing— 

“We wait for you, Mr. Gray.” 

Aroused by the sound of his name, the pilot 
glanced his quick eye on the speaker, but instead 
of advancing, he gently bent his body, as he again 


112 


THE PILOT. 


signed towards the gangway with his hand. To 
the astonishment not only of the soldier , but of all 
who witnessed this breach of naval etiquette, Grif- 
fith bowed low, and entered the boat with the same 
promptitude as if he were preceding an admiral. 
Whether the stranger became conscious of his 
want of courtesy, or was too indifferent to sur- 
rounding objects to note occurrences, he immedi- 
ately followed himself, leaving to the marine the 
post of honour. The latter, who was distinguish- 
ed for his skill in all matters of naval or military 
etiquette, thought proper to apologize, at a fitting 
time, to the first lieutenant, for suffering his senior 
officer to precede him into a boat, but never failed 
to show a becoming exultation, w T hen he recounted 
the circumstance, by dwelling on the manner in 
which he had brought down the pride of the 
haughty pilot. 

Barnstable had been several hours on board his 
little vessel, which was every way prepared for 
their reception ; and as soon as the heavy cutter 
of the frigate was hoisted on her deck, he an- 
nounced that the schooner was ready to proceed. 
It has been already intimated, that the Ariel be- 
longed to the smallest class of sea-vessels, and as 
the symmetry of her construction reduced even 
that size in appearance, she was peculiarly well 
adapted to the sort of service in which she was 
about to be employed. Notwithstanding her light- 
ness rendered her nearly as buoyant as a cork, and 
at times she actually seemed to ride on the foam, 
her low decks were perpetually washed by the 
heavy seas that dashed against her frail sides, and 
she tossed and rolled in the hollows of the waves, 
in a manner that compelled even the practised sea- 
men who trod her decks to move with guarded 
steps. Still she was trimmed and cleared with an 


THE PILOT. 


113 


air of nautical neatness and attention that afforded 
the utmost possible room for her dimensions ; and 
though in miniature, she wore the trappings of war 
as proudly as if the metal she bore was of a more 
fatal and dangerous character. The murderous 
gun, which, since the period of which we are writ- 
ing, has been universally adopted in all vessels of 
inferior size, was then in the infancy of its inven- 
tion, and was known to the American mariner only 
by reputation, under the appalling name of a 
“ smasher.” Of a vast caliber, though short, and 
easily managed, its advantages were even in that 
early day beginning to be appreciated, and the larg- 
est ships were thought to be unusually well pro- 
vided with the means of offence, when they car- 
ried two or three cannon of this formidable inven- 
tion among their armament. At a later day this 
weapon has been improved and altered, until its 
use has become general in vessels of a certain size, 
taking its appellation from the Carron, on the banks 
of which river it was first moulded. In place of 
these carronades, six light brass cannon were firmly 
lashed to the bulwarks of the Ariel, their brazen 
throats blackened by the sea-water, which so often 
broke harmlessly over these engines of destruction. 
In the centre of the vessel, between her two masts, 
a gun of the same metal, but of nearly twice the 
length of the others, was mounted on a carriage of 
a new and singular construction, which admitted 
of its being turned in any direction, so as to be of 
service in most of the emergencies that occur in 
naval warfare. 

The eye of the pilot examined this armament 
closely, and then turned to the well-ordered decks, 
the neat and compact rigging, and the hardy faces 
of the fine young crew, with manifest satisfaction. 
Contrary to what had been his practice during the 

10 * 


114 


THE PILOT. 


short time he had been with them, he uttered his 
gratification freely and aloud. 

u You have a tight boat, Mr. Barnstable,” he 
said, u and a gallant looking crew. You promise 
good service, sir, in time of need, and that lioui 
may not be far distant.” 

u The sooner the better,” returned the reckless 
sailor ; u I have not had an opportunity of scaling 
my guns since we quitted Brest, though we passed 
several of the enemy’s cutters coming up channel, 
with whom our bull-dogs longed for a conversa- 
tion. Mr. Griffith will tell you, pilot, that my lit- 
tle sixes can speak, on occasion, with a voice nearly 
as loud as the frigate’s eighteens.” 

“ But not to as much purpose,” observed Grif- 
fith ; “ 1 vox et preterea nihil,’ as we said at the 
school.” 

u I know nothing of your Greek or Latin, Mr. 
Griffith,” retorted the commander of the Ariel ; 
“ but if you mean that those seven brass play- 
things won’t throw a round shot as far as any gun 
ol their size and height above the water, or won’t 
scatter grape and canister with any blunderbuss 
in your ship, you may possibly find an opportunity 
that will convince you to the contrary, before we 
part company.” 

“ They promise w T ell,” said the pilot, who was 
evidently ignorant of the good understanding that 
existed between the two officers, and wished to 
conciliate all under his directions, u and I doubt 
not they will argue the leading points of a combat 
with good discretion. I see that you have chris- 
tened them — I suppose for their respective merits. 
They are indeed expressive names !” 

u ’Tis the freak of an idle moment,” said Barn- 
stable, laughing, as he glanced his eyes to the can- 
non, above which were painted the several quaint 


THE PILOT. 


115 


names of u boxer,” “ plumper,” “ grinder,” a scat- 
terer,” u exterminator,” and u nail-driver.” 

u Why have you thrown the midship-gun with- 
out the pale of your baptism ?” asked the pilot ; 
u or do you know it by the usual title of the 4 old 
woman ?’ ” 

44 No, no, I have no such petticoat terms on 
board me,” cried the other ; 44 but move more to 
starboard, and you will see its style painted on the 
cheeks of the carriage ; it’s a name that need not 
cause them to blush either.” 

44 Tis a singular epithet, though not without 
some meaning !” 

44 It has more than you, perhaps, dream of, sir. 
That worthy seaman, whom you see leaning 
against the foremast, and who would serve, on oc- 
casion, for a spare spar himself, is the captain of 
that gun, and more than once has decided some 
warm disputes with John Bull, by the manner in 
which he has wielded it. No marine can trail 
his musket more easily than my cockswain can 
train his nine-pounder on an object ; and thus from 
their connexion, and some resemblance there is be- 
tween them in length, it has got the name which 
you perceive it carries; that of 4 long Tom.’ 

The pilot smiled as he listened, but turning 
away from the speaker, the deep reflection that 
crossed his brow but too plainly showed that he 
trifled only from momentary indulgence ; and Grif- 
fith intimated to Barnstable, that as the gale was 
sensibly abating, they would pursue the object of 
their destination. 

Thus recalled to his duty, the commander of the 
schooner forgot the delightful theme of expatiating 
on the merits of his vessel, and issued the neces- 
sary orders to direct their movements. The little 
schooner slowly obeyed the impulse of her helm, 


116 


THE PILOT. 


and fell off before the wind, when the folds of her 
squaresail, though limited by a prudent reef, were 
opened to the blasts, and she shot away from her 
consort, like a meteor dancing across the waves. 
The black mass of the frigate’s hull soon sunk in 
distance, and long before the sun had fallen below 
the hills of England, her tall masts were barely 
distinguishable by the small cloud of sail that held 
the vessel to her station. As the ship disappear- 
ed, the land seemed to issue out of the bosom of 
the deep, and so rapid was their progress, that the 
dwellings of the gentry, the humbler cottages, and 
even the dim lines of the hedges, became gradual- 
ly more distinct to the eyes of the bold mariners, 
until they were beset with the gloom of evening, 
when the whole scene faded from their view in 
the darkness of the hour, leaving only the faint 
outline f the land visible in the tract before them, 
and the sullen billows of the ocean raging with ap- 
palling violence in their rear. 

Still the little Ariel held on her way, skimming 
the ocean like a water-fowl seeking its place of 
nightly rest, and shooting in towards the land as 
fearlessly as if the dangers of the preceding night 
were already forgotten. No shoals or rocks ap- 
peared to arrest her course, and we must leave 
her gliding into the dark streak that was thrown 
from the high and rocky cliffs, that lined a basin of 
bold entrance, where the mariners often sought 
and found a refuge from the dangers of the Ger- 
man Ocean. 


CHAPTER IX. 


** Sirrah ! how dare you leave your barley broth, 
“To come in armour thus, against your king?” 

Drama. 


The large irregular building, inhabited by Col- 
onel Howard, well deserved the description it had 
received from the pen of Katherine Plowden. 
Notwithstanding the confusion in its orders, owing 
to the different ages in which its several parts had 
been erected, the interior was not wanting in that 
appearance of comfort which forms the great cha- 
racteristic of English domestic life. Its dark and 
intricate mazes of halls, galleries, and apartments, 
were all well provided with good and substantial 
furniture, and whatever might have been the pur- 
poses of their original construction, they were now 
peacefully appropriated to the service of a quiet and 
well ordered family. 

There were divers portentous traditions, of cru- 
el separations and blighted loves, which always 
linger, like cobwebs, around the walls of old 
houses, to be heard here also, and which doubt- 
less, in abler hands, might easily have been 
wrought up into scenes of high interest and delec- 
table pathos. But our humbler efforts must be 
limited by an attempt to describe man as God has 
made him, vulgar and unseemly as he may appear 


118 


rHE PILOT. 


to sublimated faculties, to the possessors of which 
enviable qualifications we desire to say, at once, 
that we are determined to eschew all things super- 
naturally refined, as we would the devil. To all 
those, then, who are tired of the company of their 
species, we would bluntly insinuate, that the sooner 
they throw aside our pages, and seize upon those 
of some more highly gifted bard, the sooner will 
they be in the way of quitting earth, if not of at- 
taining heaven. Our business is solely to treat of 
man, and this fair scene on which he acts, and that 
not in his subtleties and metaphysical contradic- 
tions, but in his palpable nature, that all may un- 
derstand our meaning as well as ourselves — where- 
by we manifestly reject the prodigious advantage 
of being thought a genius, by perhaps foolishly re- 
fusing the mighty aid of incomprehensibility to es- 
tablish such a character. 

Leaving the gloomy shadows of the cliffs, under 
which the little Ariel has been seen to steer, and 
the sullen roaring of the surf along the margin of 
the ocean, we shall endeavour to transport the 
reader to the dining-parlour of St. Ruth’s Abbey, 
taking the evening-of the same day as the time for 
introducing another collection of those personages, 
whose acts and characters it has become our duty 
to describe. 

The room w’as not of very large dimensions, 
and every part was glittering with the collected 
light of half a dozen candles, aided by the fierce 
rays that glanced from the grate, which held a most 
cheerful fire of sea-coal. The mouldings of the 
dark oak wainscoting threw back upon the mas- 
sive table of mahogany, streaks of strong light, 
which played among the rich fluids that were 
sparkling on the board, in mimic haloes. The 
outline of this picture of comfort was formed by 


THE PILOT 


119 


damask curtains of a deep red, enormous oak 
chairs with leathern backs and cushioned seats, as 
if the apartment were hermetically sealed against 
the world and its chilling cares. 

Around the table, which still stood in the centre 
of the floor, were seated three gentlemen, in the 
easy enjoyment of their daily repast. The cloth 
had been drawn, and the bottle was slowly passing 
among them, as if those who partook of its bounty 
well knew that neither the time nor the opportu- 
nity would be wanting for their deliberate indul- 
gence in its pleasures. 

At one end of the table an elderly man was seat- 
ed, who performed whatever little acts of courtesy 
the duties of a host would appear to render neces-r 
sary, in a company where all seemed to be equally 
at their ease and at home. This gentleman was 
in the decline of life, though his erect carriage, 
quick movements, and steady hand, equally de- 
noted that it was an old age free from the usual in- 
firmities. In his dress, he belonged to that class 
whose members always follow the fashions of the 
age anterior to the one in which they live, whe- 
ther from disinclination to sudden changes of any 
kind, or from the recollections of a period which, 
with them, has been hallowed by scenes and feel- 
ings that the chilling evening of life can neither re- 
vive nor equal. Age might possibly have thrown 
its blighting frosts on his thin locks, but art had 
laboured to conceal the ravages with the nicest 
care. An accurate outline of powder covered not 
only the parts where the hair actually remained, 
but wherever nature had prescribed that hair 
should grow. His countenance was strongly mark- 
ed in features, if not in expression, exhibiting, on 
the whole, a look of noble integrity and high ho 


120 


THE PILOT. 


nour, which was a good deal aided in its effect by 
the lofty receding forehead, that rose like a monu- 
ment, above the whole, to record the character of 
the aged veteran. A few streaks of branching red 
mingled with a swarthiness of complexion that was 
rendered more conspicuous by the outline of un- 
sullied white which nearly surrounded his promi- 
nent features. 

Opposite to the host, who it will at once be un- 
derstood was Colonel Howard, was the thin, 
yellow visage of Mr. Christopher Dillon, that bane 
to the happiness of her cousin, already mentioned 
by Miss Plowden. 

Between these two gentlemen was a middle- 
aged, hard-featured man, attired in the livery of 
King George, whose countenance emulated the 
scarlet of his coat, and whose principal employ- 
ment, at the moment, appeared to consist in doing 
honour to the cheer of his entertainer. 

Occasionally, a servant entered or left the room, 
in silence, giving admission, however, through the 
opened door, to the rushing sounds of the gale, as 
the wind murmured amid the angles and high chim- 
neys of the edifice. 

A man, in the dress of a rustic, was standing 
near the chair of Colonel Howard, between whom 
and the master of the mansion a dialogue had been 
maintained, which closed as follows. The colonel 
was the first to speak, after the curtain is drawn 
from between the eyes of the reader and the scene. 

“ Said you, farmer, that the Scotchman beheld 
the vessels with his own eyes ?” 

The answer was a simple negative. 

“ Well, well,” continued the colonel, “ you can 
withdraw.” 

The man made a rude attempt at a bow, which 


THE PILOT. 


121 


being returned by the old soldier with formal grace, 
he left the room. The host, turning to his com- 
panions, resumed the subject. 

u If those rash boys have really persuaded the 
silly dotard who commands the frigate, to trust 
himself within the shoals, on the eve of such a gale 
as this, their case must have been hopeless in- 
deed ! Thus may rebellion and disaffection ever 
meet with the just indignation of Providence ! It 
would not surprise me, gentlemen, to hear that my 
native land has been engulphed by earthquakes, or 
swallowed by the ocean, so awful and inexcusable 
has been the weight of her transgressions ! And 
yet it was a proud and daring boy who held the 
second station in that ship ! I knew his father- 
well, and a gallant gentleman he was, who, like 
my own brother, the parent of Cecilia, preferred 
to serve his master on the ocean rather than on 
the land. His son inherited the bravery of his 
high spirit, without its loyalty. One would not 
wish to have such a youth drowned, either.” 

This speech, which partook much of the nature 
of a soliloquy, especially towards its close, called 
for no immediate reply ; but the soldier, having 
held his glass to the candle, to admire the rosy 
hue of its contents, and then sipped of the fluid so 
often that nothing but a clear light remained to 
gaze at, quietly replaced the empty vessel on the 
table, and, as he extended an arm towards the 
blushing bottle, he spoke, in the careless tones of 
one whose thoughts were dwelling on another 
theme — 

a Ay, true enough, sir ; good men are scarce, 
and, as you say, one cannot but mourn his fate, 
though his death be glorious ; quite a loss to his 
majesty’s service, I dare say, it will prove.” 
u A loss to the service of his majesty !” echoed 

11 


122 


THE PILOT 


the host — u his death glorious ! no, captain Bor- 
roughcliffe, the death of no rebel can be glorious } 
and how he can be a loss to his majesty’s service, 
I am myself quite at a loss to understand.” 

The soldier, whose ideas were in that happy 
state of confusion that renders it difficult to com- 
mand the one most needed, but who still, from 
long discipline, had them under a wonderful con- 
trol for the disorder of his brain, answered, with 
great promptitude — 

a I mean the loss of his example, sir. It would 
have been so appalling to others, to have seen the 
young man executed instead of shot in battle.” 

“ He is drowned, sir.” 

u Ah ! that is the next thing to being hanged ; 
that circumstance had escaped me.” 

u It is by no means certain, sir, that the ship and 
schooner that the drover saw are the vessels you 
take them to have been,” said Mr. Dillon, in a 
harsh, drawling tone of voice. u I should doubt 
their daring to venture so openly on the coast, and 
in the direct track of our vessels of war.” 

“ These people are our countrymen, Christo- 
pher, though they are rebels,” exclaimed the co- 
lonel. u They are a hardy and brave nation. 
When I had the honour to serve his majesty, some 
twenty 7 years since, it was my fortune to face the 
enemies of my king in a few small affairs, Captain 
Borroughcliffe ; such as the siege of Quebec, and 
the battle oefore its gates, a trifling occasion at 
Ticonderoga, and that unfortunate catastrophe of 
General Braddock — with a few others. I must 
say, sir, in favour of the colonists, that they played 
a manful game on the latter day ; and this gentle- 
man who now heads the rebels sustained a gallant 
name among us for his conduct in that disastrous 
business. He was a discreet, well-behaved young 


THE PILOT. 


123 


man, and quite a gentleman. I have never denied 
that Mr. Washington was very much of a gentle- 
man.” 

a Yes,” said the soldier, yawning, “he was edu- 
cated among his majesty’s troops, and he could 
hardly be otherwise. But I am quite melancholy 
about this unfortunate drowning, Colonel Howard. 
Here will be an end of my vocation, 1 suppose, and 
I am far from denying that your hospitality has 
made these quarters most agreeable to me.” 

“ Then, sir, the obligation is only mutual,” re- 
turned the host, with a polite inclination of his 
head : “ but gentlemen, who, like ourselves, have 
been made free of the camp, need not bandy idle 
compliments about such trifles. If it were my 
kinsman, Dillon, now, whose thoughts run more 
on Coke upon Littleton than on the gayeties of a 
mess-table, and a soldier’s life, he might think such 
formalities as necessary as his hard words are to a 
deed. Come, Borroughcliffe, my dear fellow, I 
believe we have given an honest glass to each of 
the royal family, (God bless them all!) let us 
swallow a bumper to the memory of the immortal 
Wolfe.” 

“ An honest proposal, my gallant host, and such 
a one as a soldier will never decline,” returned 
the captain, who roused himself with the occasion. 
“ God bless them all, say I, in echo, and if this 
gracious queen of ours ends as famously as she has 
begun, ’twill be such a family of princes as no other 
army in Europe can brag of around a mess-table.” 

“ Ay, ay, there is some consolation in that 
thought, in the midst of this dire rebellion of my 
countrymen. But I’ll vex myself no more with 
the unpleasant recollections ; the arms of my 
sovereign will soon purge that wicked land of the 
foul stain.” 


124 


THE PILOT. 


u Of that there can be no doubt/’ said Borrough- 
cliffe, whose thoughts still continued a little ob- 
scured by the sparkling Madeira that had long lain 
ripening under a Carolinian sun; cc these Yankees 
fly before his majesty’s regulars, like so many 
dirty clowns in a London mob before a charge of 
the horse-guards.” 

u Pardon me, Captain Borroughcliffe,” said his 
host, elevating his person to more than its usually 
erect attitude ; “ they may be misguided, deluded, 
and betrayed, but the comparison is unjust. Give 
them arms and give them discipline, and he who 
gets an inch of their land from them, plentiful as 
it is, will find a bloody day on which to take pos- 
sesion.” 

a The veriest coward in Christendom would fight 
in a country where wine brews itself into such a 
cordial as this,” returned the cool soldier; u I am 
a living proof that you mistook my meaning ; for 
had not those loose-flapped gentlemen they cab 
Vermontese and Hampshire-granters ( God grant 
them his blessing for the deed!) finished two 
thirds of my company, I should not have been at 
this day under your roof, a recruiting instead of a 
marching officer ; neither should 1 have been bound 
up in a covenant, like the law of Moses, could Bur- 
goyne have made head against their long-legged 
marchings and counter-marchings. Sir, I drink 
their healths, with all my heart ; and, with such a 
bottle of golden sunshine before me, rather than 
displease so good a friend, I will go through Gates’s 
whole army, regiment by regiment, company by 
company, or, if you insist on the same, even man 
by man, in a bumper.” 

“ On no account would I tax your politeness so 
far,” returned the colonel, abundantly mollified by 
this ample concession; “I stand too much you- 


THE PILOT. 


125 


debtor, Captain Borroughcliffe, for so freely volun- 
teering to defend my bouse against the attacks of 
my piratical, rebellious, and misguided cour try- 
men, to think of requiring such a concession . 55 

“ Harder duty might be performed, and no fa- 
vours asked, my respectable host , 55 returned the 
soldier. u Country quarters are apt to be dull, and 
the liquor is commonly execrable ; but in such a 
dwelling as this a man can rock himself in the very 
cradle of contentment. And yet there is one 
subject of complaint, that I should disgrace my re- 
giment did I not speak of, for it is incumbent on 
me, both as a man and a soldier, to be no longer 
silent . 55 

“ Name it, sir, freely, and its cause shall be as 
freely redressed , 55 said the host, in some amaze • 
ment. 

“ Here we three sit, from morning to night , 51 
continued the soldier, “ bachelors all, well provi- 
sioned and better liquored, I grant you, but like 
so many well fed anchorites, while two of the 
loveliest damsels in the island pine in solitude 
within a hundred feet of us, without tasting the 
homage of our sighs. This, I will maintain, is a 
reproach both to your character, Colonel Howard* 
as an old soldier, and to mine as a young one. As 
to our friend Coke on top of Littleton here, I 
leave him to the quiddities of the law to plead hfe 
own cause . 55 

The brow of the host contracted for a moment, 
and the sallow cheek of Dillon, who had sat dur 
ing the dialogue in a sullen silence, appeared to 
grow even livid ; but gradually the open brow of 
the veteran resumed its frank expression, and the 
lips of the other relaxed into a jesuitical sort of a 
smile, that was totally disregarded by the captain, 
who amused himself with sipping his wine while 

11 * 


126 


THE PILOT. 


he waited for an answer, as if he analyzed each 
drop that crossed his palate. 

After an embarrassing pause of a moment, Co 
lonel Howard broke the silence. 

u There is reason in Borroughcliffe’s hint, fol 
such I take it to be — ” 

“ I meant it for a plain, matter-of-fact com* 
plaint,” interrupted the soldier. 

“ And you have cause for it,” continued th6 
colonel. u It is unreasonable, Christopher, that 
the ladies should allow their dread of these pirati- 
cal countrymen of ours to exclude us from their 
society, though prudence may require that they 
remain secluded in their apartments. We owe 
the respect to Captain Borroughcliffe, that at least 
we admit him to the sight of the coffee-urn in an 
evening.” 

“ That is precisely my meaning,” said the cap- 
tain ; u as for dining with them, why, I am well 
provided for here, but there is no one knows how 
to set hot water a hissing in so professional a man- 
ner as a woman. So forward, my dear and ho- 
noured colonel, and lay your injunctions on theii^ 
that they command your humble servant and 
Mr. Coke unto Littleton to advance and give th$ 
countersign of gallantry.” 

Dillon contracted his disagreeable features inti 
something that was intended for a satirical smile 
before he spoke as follows : 

u Both the veteran Colonel Howard and the 
gallant Captain Borroughcliffe may find it easier 
to overcome the enemies of his majesty in the field 
than to shake a woman’s caprice. Not a day has 
passed, these three weeks, that 1 have not sent 
my inquiries to the door of Miss Howard, as be- 
came her father’s kinsman, with a wish to appease 
her apprehensions of the pirates ; but little has she 


THE PILOT. 


127 


deigned me in reply, more than such thanks as her 
sex and breeding could not well dispense with.” 
u Well, you have been as fortunate as myself, 
and why you should be more so, I see no reason,” 
cried the soldier, throwing a glance of cool con- 
tempt at the other ; a fear whitens the cheek, and 
ladies best love to be seen when the roses flourish 
rather than the lilies.” 

u A woman is never so interesting, Captain 
Borroughcliffe,” said the gallant host, u as when 
she appears to lean on man for support ; and he 
who does not feel himself honoured by the trust, 
as a disgrace to his species.” 

u Bravo ! my honoured sir, a worthy sentiment, 
and spoken like a true soldier ; but I have heard 
much of the loveliness of the ladies of the Abbey 
since I have been in my present quarters, and I 
feel a strong desire to witness beauty encircled by 
such loyalty as could induce them to flee their na- 
tive country, rather than to devote their charms to 
the rude keeping of the rebels.” 

The colonel looked grave, and for a moment 
fierce ; but the expression of his displeasure soon 
passed away in a smile of forced gayety, and, &£ 
he cheerfully rose from his seat, he cried — 

u You shall be admitted this very night, and this 
instant, Captain Borroughcliffe. We owe it, sir, 
to your services here, as well as in the field, and 
those froward girls shall be humoured no longer. 
Nay, it is nearly two weeks since I have seen my 
ward myself, nor have I laid my eyes on my niece 
but twice in all that time. Christopher, I leave 
the captain under your good care, while I go seek 
admission into the cloisters ; we call that part of 
the building the cloisters, because it holds our nuns, 
sir ! You will pardon my early absence from the 
table, Captain Borroughcliffe.” 


THE PILOT. 


158 

u I beg it may not be mentioned ; you leave as 
excellent representative behind you, sir,” cried 
die soldier, taking in the lank figure of Mr. Dil- 
lon in a sweeping glance, that terminated with a 
settled gaze on his decanter. u Make my devoirs 
to the recluses, my dear colonel, and say all that 
your own excellent wit shall suggest as an apology 
for my impatience. Mr. Dillon, I meet you in a 
bumper to their healths and in their honour.” 

The challenge was coldly accepted, and while 
these gentlemen still held their glasses to their 
lips, Colonel Howard left the apartment, bowing 
low, and uttering a thousand excuses to his guest, 
as he proceeded, and even offering a very unne- 
cessary apology of the same effect to his habitual 
inmate, Mr. Dillon. 

u Is fear so very powerful within these old 
walls ?” said the soldier, when the door closed be- 
hind their host, “ that your ladies deem it neces- 
sary to conceal themselves before even an enemy 
is known to have landed ?” 

Dillon coldly replied — 

u The name of Paul Jones is terrific to all on 
this coast, I believe, nor are the ladies of St. Ruth 
singular in their apprehensions.” 

u Ah ! the pirate has bought himself a desperate 
name, since the affair of Flamborough Head. But 
let him look to’t, if he trusts himself in ano- 
ther Whitehaven expedition, while there is a de- 
tachment of the th in the neighbourhood, 

though the men should be nothing better than re 
cruits.” 

“ Our last accounts leave him safe in the court 
of Louis,” returned his companion ; u but there 
are men as desperate as himself, who sail the ocean 
under the rebel flag, and from one or two of them we 
have had much reason to apprehend the vengeance 


THE PILOT. 


129 


of disappointed men. It is they that we hope are 
lost in this gale.” 

“ Hum ! I hope they were dastards, or your 
hopes are a little unchristian, and — ” 

He would have proceeded, but the door opened, 
and his orderly entered, and announced, that a 
sentinel had detained three men, who were pass- 
ing along the highway, near the abbey, and who, 
by their dress, appeared to be seamen. 

a Well, let them pass,” cried the captain ; 
4C what, have we nothing to do better than to stop 
passengers, like footpads, on the king’s highway ! 
give them of your canteens, and let the rascals 
pass. Your orders were to give the alarm, if any 
hostile party landed on the coast, not to detain 
peaceable subjects on their lawful business.” 
u I beg your honour’s pardon,” returned the 
sergeant ; “ but these men seemed lurking about 
the grounds for no good, and as they kept care- 
fully aloof from the place where our sentinel wa3 
posted, until to-night, Downing thought it looked 
suspiciously, and detained them.” 

“ Downing is a fool, and it may go hard with 
him for his officiousness. What have you done 
with the men ?” 

“ I took them to the guard-room in the east 
wing, your honour.” 

u Then feed them ; and harkye, sirrah ! liquor 
them well, that we hear no complaints, and let 
them go.” 

“ Yes, sir, yes, your honour shall be obeyed ; 
but there is a straight, soldierly looking fellow 
among them, that I think might be persuaded to 
enlist, if he were detained till morning. I doubt, 
sir, by his walk, but he has served already.” 
u Ha ! what say you !” cried the captain, prick 


130 


THE PILOT. 


ing up his ears, like a hound who hears a well 
known cry, u served, think ye, already ?” 

u There are signs about him, your honour, to 
that effect. An old soldier is seldom deceived in 
such a thing, and considering his disguise, for it 
can be no other, and the place where we took him, 
there is no danger of a have-us corpses, until he 
is tied to us by the laws of the kingdom.” 

u Peace, you knave !” said Borroughcliffe, ris- 
ing, and making a devious route towards the door ; 
a you speak in the presence, of my lord chief jus- 
tice that is to be, and should not talk lightly of the 
laws. But still you say reason ; give me your 
arm, sergeant, and lead the way to the east wing ; 
my eyesight is good for nothing in such a dark 
night. A soldier should always visit his guard be- 
fore the tattoo beats.” 

After emulating the courtesy of their host, Cap- 
tain Borroughcliffe retired on this patriotic errand, 
leaning on his subordinate in a style of most fami- 
liar condescension. Dillon continued at the table, 
endeavouring to express the rancorous feelings of 
his breast by a satirical smile of contempt, that was 
necessarily lost on all but himself, as a large mirror 
threw back the image of his morose and unpleasant 
features. 

But we must precede the veteran colonel in his 
visit to the “ cloisters.” 


CHAPTER X. 


0 


“ And kindness like their own 

* inspired those eyes, affectionate and glad, 

** That seemed to love whate’er they looked upon , 
tt Whether with Hebe’s mirth her features shone, 

“ Or if a shade more pleasing them o’ercast — 

“ Yet so becomingly th’ expression past, 

“ That each succeeding look was lovelier than the last.” 

Gertrude of Wyoming 


The western wing of St. Ruth house, or abbey, 
as the building was indiscriminately called, retain- 
ed but few vestiges of the uses to which it had 
been originally devoted. The upper apartments 
were small and numerous, extending on either 
side of a long, low, and dark gallery, and might 
have been the dormitories of the sisterhood who 
were said to have once inhabited that portion of 
the edifice ; but the ground-floor had been modern- 
ized, as it was then called, about a century before, 
and retained just enough of its ancient character to 
blend the venerable with what was thought com- 
fortable in the commencement of the reign of the 
third George. As this wing had been appropriated 
to the mistress of the mansion, ever since the build, 
ing had changed its spiritual character for one of a 
more carnal nature, Colonel Howard continued the 
arrangement, when he became the temporary pos- 
sessor of St. Ruth, until, in the course of events, 
the apartments which had been appropriated for 
the accommodation and convenience of his niece. 


132 


THE PILOT. 


were eventually converted into her prison. Bui 
as the severity of the old veteran was as often 
marked by an exhibition of his virtues as of his 
foibles, the confinement and his displeasure consti- 
tuted the sole subjects of complaint that w y ere 
given to the young lady. That our readers may 
be better qualified to judge of the natuie of their 
imprisonment, we shall transport them, without 
further circumlocution, into the presence of the 
two females, whom they must be already prepared 
to receive. 

The withdrawing-room of St. Ruth’s was an 
apartment which, tradition said, had formerly been 
the refectory of the little bevy of fair sinners who 
sought a refuge within its walls from the tempta- 
tions of the world. Their number was not large, 
nor their entertainments very splendid, or this 
limited space could not have contained them. The 
room, however, was of fair dimensions, and an air 
of peculiar comfort, mingled with chastened luxu- 
ry, was thrown around it, by the voluminous folds 
of the blue damask curtains that nearly concealed 
the sides where the deep windows were placed, 
and by the dark leathern hangings, richly stamped 
with cunning devices in gold, that ornamented the 
two others. Massive couches in carved mahoga- 
ny, with chairs of a similar material and fashion, 
all covered by the same rich fabric that composed 
the curtains, together with a Turkey carpet over y 
the shaggy surface which all the colours of the 
rainbow were scattered in bright confusion, united 
to relieve the gloomy splendour of the enormous 
mantle, deep, heavy cornices, and the complicated 
carvings of the massive wood-work which cum- 
bered the walls. A brisk fire of wood was burn- 
ing on the hearth, in compliment to the wilful 
prejudice of Miss Plowden, who had maintained. 


THE PILOT. 


133 


in her most vivacious manner, that seacoal was 
u only tolerable for blacksmiths and Englishmen.” 
fn addition to the cheerful blaze from the hearth, 
two waxen lights, in candlesticks of massive silver, 
were lending their aid to enliven the apartment. 
One of these was casting its rays brightly along 
the confused colours of the carpet on which it 
stood, flickering before the active movements of 
the form that played around it with light and ani- 
mated inflexions. The posture of this young lady 
was infantile in grace, and, with one ignorant of 
her motives, her employment would have been 
obnoxious to the same construction. Divers small, 
square pieces of silk, strongly contrasted to each 
other in colour, lay on every side of her, and 
were changed, as she kneeled on the floor, by her 
nimble hands, into as many different combinations 
as if she were humouring the fancies of her sex, 
or consulting the shades of her own dark but rich 
complexion in the shop of a mercer. The close 
satin dress of this young female served to display 
her small figure in its true proportions, while 
her dancing eyes of jet-black shamed the dies of 
the Italian manufacturer by their superior radi- 
ancy. A few ribands of pink, disposed about her 
person with an air partly studied, and yet careless- 
ly coquettish, seemed rather to reflect than lend 
the rich bloom that mantled around her laughing 
countenance, leaving to the eye no cause to regret 
that she was not fairer. 

Another female figure, clad in virgin white, was 
reclining on the end of a distant couch. The se- 
elusion in which they lived might have rendered 
this female a little careless of her appearance, or, 
what was more probable, the comb had been found 
unequal to its burthen, for her tresses, which ri~ 


12 


134 


THE PILOT. 


vailed the hue and gloss of the raven, had burst 
from their confinement, and, dropping over her 
shoulders, fell along her dress in rich profusion, 
finally resting on the damask of the couch, in dark 
folds, like glittering silk. A small hand, which 
seemed to blush at its own naked beauties, sup- 
ported her head, imbedded in the volumes of her 
hair, like the fairest alabaster set in the deepest 
ebony. Beneath the dark profusion of her curls, 
which, notwithstanding the sweeping train that fell 
about her person, covered the summit of her head, 
lay a low, spotless forehead of dazzling whiteness, 
that was relieved by two arches so slightly and 
truly drawn that they appeared to have been pro- 
duced by the nicest touches of art. The fallen lids 
and long silken lashes concealed the eyes, that 
rested on the floor, as if their mistress mused in 
melancholy. The remainder of the features of 
this maiden were of a kind that is most difficult to 
describe, being neither regular nor perfect in their 
several parts, yet harmonizing and composing a 
whole, that formed an exquisite picture of female 
delicacy and loveliness. There might or there 
might not have been a tinge of slight red in her 
cheeks, but it varied with each emotion of her bo- 
som, even as she mused in quiet, now seeming to 
steal insidiously over her glowing temples, and 
then leaving on her face an almost startling pale- 
ness. Her stature, as she reclined, seemed above 
the medium height of womanhood, and her figure 
was rather delicate than full, though the little foot 
that rested on the damask cushion before her, dis^ 
played a rounded outline that any of her sex might 
envy. 

“ Oh ! I’m as expert as if I were signal officer 
to the Lord high admiral of this realm !” exclaim- 


THE PILOT. 


135 


ed the laughing female on the floor, clapping hei 
hands together in girlish exultation. u I do long 
Cecilia, for an opportunity to exhibit my skill.” 
While her cousin was speaking, Miss Howard 
raised her head, with a faint smile, and as she turn- 
ed her eyes towards the other, a spectator might 
have been disappointed, but could not have been 
displeased, by the unexpected change the action 
produced in the expression of her countenance. 
Instead of the piercing black eyes that the deep 
colour of her tresses would lead him to expect, he 
would have beheld two large, mild, blue orbs, that 
seemed to float in a liquid so pure as to be nearly 
invisible, and which were more remarkable for 
their tenderness and persuasion, than for the vivid 
flashes that darted from the quick glances of her 
companion. 

u The success of your mad excursion to the sea 

* 

side, my cousin, has bewildered your brain,” re- 
turned Cecilia ; u but I know not how to conquer 
your disease, unless we prescribe salt-water for 
the remedy, as in some other cases of madness.” 
u Ah ! I am afraid your nostrum would be use- 
less,” cried Katherine ; cc it has failed to wash out 
the disorder from the sedate Mr. Richard Barn- 
stable, who has had the regimen administered to 
him through many a hard gale, but who continues 
as fair a candidate for bedlam as ever. Would 
you think it, Cicely, the crazy-one urged me, in 
the ten minutes’ conversation we held together on 
the cliffs, to accept of his schooner as a show r er 
bath !” 

u I can think that your hardihood might encou 
rage him to expect much, but surely he could not 
have been serious in such a proposal !” 

u Oh ! to do the wretch justice, he did say 
something of a chaplain to consecrate the mea- 


136 


THE PILOT. 


sure, but there was boundless impudence in the 
thought. I have not, nor shall I forget it, or for- 
give him for it, these six-and-twenty years. What 
a fine time he must have had of it, in his little 
Ariel, among the monstrous waves we saw tum- 
bling in upon the shore to-day, coz ! I hope they 
will wash his impudence out of him ! I do think 
the man cannot have had a dry thread about him, 
from sun to sun. I must believe it is a punishment 
for his boldness, and, be certain, I shall tell him of 
it. I will form half a dozen signals, this instant, 
to joke at his moist condition, in very revenge . 55 

Pleased with her own thoughts, and buoyant 
with the secret hope that her adventurous under 
taking would be finally crowned with complete 
success, the gay girl shook her black locks, in in- 
finite mirth, and tossed the mimic flags gayly 
around her person, as she was busied in forming 
new combinations, in order to amuse herself with 
her lover’s disastrous situation. But the features 
of her cousin clouded with the thoughts that were 
excited by her remarks, and she replied, in a tone 
diat bore some little of the accents of reproach — 

u Katherine ! Katherine ! can you jest when 
there is so much to apprehend ! Forget you what 
Alice Dunscombe told us of the gale, this morning ! 
and that she spoke of two vessels, a ship and a 
schooner, that had been seen venturing with fear- 
ful temerity within the shoals, only six miles from 
the Abbey, and that unless God in his gracious 
providence had been kind to them, there was but 
little doubt that their fate would be a sad one ! 
Can you, that know so well who and what these 
daring mariners are, be merry about the selfsame 
vvinds that cause their danger ? 55 

The thoughtless, laughing girl was recalled to 
her recollection by this remonstrance, and every 


THE PILOT. 


137 


trace of mirth vanished from her countenance, 
leaving a momentary death-like paleness crossing 
her face, as she clasped her hands before her, and 
fastened her keen eyes vacantly on the splendid 
pieces of silk that now lay unheeded around her. 
At this critical moment the door of the room slow- 
ly opened, and Colonel Howard entered the apart- 
ment with an air that displayed a droll mixture of 
stern indignation, with a chivalric and habitual re- 
spect to the sex. 

“ I solicit your pardon, young ladies, for the in- 
terruption,” he said ; u I trust, however, that an 
old man’s presence can never be entirely unex- 
pected in the drawing-room of his wards.” 

As he bowed, the colonel seated himself on the 
end of the couch, opposite to the place where his 
niece had been reclining, for Miss Howard had 
risen at his entrance, and continued standing until 
her uncle had comfortably disposed of himself. 
Throwing a glance, which was not entirely free 
from ’ self-commendation around the comfortable 
apartment, the veteran proceeded, in the same tone 
as before — 

u You are not without the means of making any 
guest welcome, nor do I see the necessity of such 
constant seclusion from the eyes of the world as 
you thus rigidly practise.” 

Cecilia looked timidly at her uncle, with sur- 
prise, before she returned an answer to his re- 
mark. 

“ We certainly owe much to your kind atten- 
tion, dear sir,” she at length uttered ; u but is our 
retirement altogether voluntary ?” 

a How can it be otherwise ! are you not mis- 
tress of this mansion, madam ! In selecting the 
residence where your and, permit me to add, my 
ancestors, so long dwelt, in credit and honour, I 

12 * 

J 


138 


THE PILOT. 


have surely been less governed by an}/ natural 
pride that I might well have entertained on such a 
subject, than by a desire to consult your comfort 
and happiness. Every thing appears to my aged 
eyes as if vve ought not to be ashamed to receive 
©ur friends wdthin these w r alls. The cloisters of 
St. Ruth,* Miss Howard, are not entirely bare, 
neither are their tenants wholly unworthy to be 
seen.” 

u Open, then, the portals of the Abbey, sir, and 
your niece will endeavour to do proper credit to 
the hospitality of its master.” 

u That w r as spoken like Harry Howard’s daugh- 
ter, frankly and generously !” cried the old sol- 
dier, insensibly edging himself nearer to his niece. 
66 If my brother had devoted himself to the camp, 
instead of the sea, Cecilia, he would have made 
one of the bravest and ablest generals in his ma- 
jesty’s service — poor Harry ! he might have been 
living at this very day, and at this moment leading 
the victorious troops of his sovereign through the 
revolted colonies in triumph. But he is gone, 
Cicely, and has left you behind him, as his deai 
representative, to perpetuate our family, and to 
possess what little has been left to us from the ra 
vages of the times.” 

“ Surely, dear sir,” said Cecilia, taking his 
hand, which had unconsciously approached her 
person, and pressing it to her lips, “ we have no 
cause to complain of our lot in respect to fortune, 
though it may cause us bitter regret that so few of 
us are left to enjoy it.” 

u No, no, no,” said Katherine, in a low, hurried 
voice ; “ Alice Dunscombe is and must be wrong ; 
providence would never abandon brave men to so 
cruel a fate !” 

“ Alice Dunscombe is here to atone for her er 


THE PILOT. 


139 


ror, if she has fallen into one,” said a quiet, sub- 
dued voice, in which the accents of a provincial 
dialect, however, were slightly perceptible, ana 
which, in its low tones, wanted that silvery clear- 
ness that gave so much feminine sweetness to the 
words of Miss Howard, and which even rung me- 
lodiously in the ordinarily vivacious strains of hei 
cousin. 

The surprise created by these sudden interrup 
tions caused a total suspension of the discourse. 
Katherine Plowden, who had continued kneeling 
in the attitude before described, arose, and as she 
looked about her in momentary confusion, the 
blood again mantled her face with the fresh and 
joyous springs of life. The other speaker advanced 
steadily into the middle of the room, and after re- 
turning, with studied civility, the low bow of Co- 
lonel Howard, seated herself in silence on the op- 
posite couch. The manner of her entrance, her 
reception, and her attire, sufficiently denoted that 
the presence of this female was neither unusual nor 
unwelcome. She was dressed with marked sim- 
plicity, though with a studied neatness, that more 
than compensated for the absence of ornaments. 
Her age might not have much exceeded thirty, but 
there was an adoption of customs in her attire that 
indicated she was not unwilling to be thought old- 
er. Her fair flaxen hair was closely confined by 
a dark bandeau, such as was worn in a nation far- 
ther north by virgins only, over which a few curls 
strayed, in a manner that showed the will of their 
mistress alone restrained their luxuriance. Her 
light complexion had lost much of its brilliancy, but 
enough still remained to assert its original beauty 
and clearness. To this description might be add- 
ed, fine, mellow blue eyes, beautifully white, 
though large teeth, a regular set of features, and 


140 


THE PILOT. 


a person that was.clad in a dark lead-coloured silk, 
which fitted her full, but gracefully moulded form, 
with the closest exactness. 

Colonel Howard paused a moment, after this 
lady was seated, and then turning himself to Ka- 
therine with an air that became stiff and con- 
strained by attempting to seem extremely easy, he 
said — 

“ You no sooner summon Miss Alice, but she 
appears, Miss Plowden — ready and ( I am bold to 
say, Miss Alice) able to defend herself against all 
charges that her worst enemies can allege against 
her.” 

“ I have no charges to make against Miss Duns- 
combe,” said Katherine, pettishly, u nor do I wish 
to have dissensions created between me and my 
friends, even by Colonel Howard.” 

“ Colonel Howard will studiously avoid such 
offences in future,” said the veteran, bowing ; and 
turning stiffly to the others, he continued — “ I was 
just conversing with my niece, as you entered, 
Miss Alice, on the subject of her immuring herself 
like one of the veriest nuns w T ho ever inhabited 
these cloisters. I tell her, madam, that neither her 
years, nor my fortune, nor, indeed, her own, for 
the child of Harry Iiow T ard w T as not left pennyless, 
require that w 7 e should live as if the doors of the 
w r orld w ere closed against us, or there w 7 as no other 
entrance to St. Ruth’s but through those antiqua- 
ted windows. Miss Plowden, I feel it to be my 
duty to inquire why those pieces of silk are pro- 
vided in such an unusual abundance, and in so ex- 
traordinary a shape ?” 

u To make a gala dress for the ball you are 
about to give, sir,” said Katherine, with a saucy 
smile, that was only checked by the reproachful 
glance of her cousin. u You have taste in a lady’ 


THE PILOT. 


141 


attire, Colonel Howard ; will not this bright yel- 
low form a charming relief to my brown face, while 
this white and black relieve one another, and this 
pink contrasts so sweetly with black eyes. Will 
not the whole form a turban fit for an empress to 
wear ?” 

As the arch maiden prattled on in this unmean- 
ing manner, her rapid fingers entwined the flags in 
a confused maze, which she threw over her head 
in a form not unlike the ornament for which she 
intimated it was intended. The veteran was b y 
tar too polite to dispute a lady’s taste, and he re- 
newed the dialogue, with his slightly awakened 
suspicions completely quieted by her dexterity 
and artifice. But although it was not difficult to 
deceive Colonel Howard in matters of female 
dress, the case was very different with Alice Duns- 
combe. This lady gazed, with a steady eye and 
reproving countenance on the fantastical turban, 
until Katherine threw herself by her side, and en- 
deavoured to lead her attention to other subjects, 
by her playful motions and whispered questions. 

u I was observing, Miss Alice,” continued the 
colonel, u that although the times had certainly 
inflicted some loss on my estate, yet we were not 
so much reduced, as to be unable to receive our 
friends in a manner that would not disgrace the 
descendants of the ancient possessors of St. Ruth. 
Cecilia, here, my brother Harry’s daughter, is a 
young lady that any uncle might be proud to ex- 
hibit, and l would have her, madam, show your 
English dames, that we rear no unworthy speci- 
mens of the parent stock on the other side of the 
Atlantic.” 

“ You have only to declare your pleasure, my 
good uncle,” said Miss How r ard, “ and it shall be 
executed.” 


142 


THE PILOT. 


u Tell us how we can oblige you, sir,” conti- 
nued Katherine, “ and if it be in any manner that 
will relieve the tedium of this dull residence, I 
promise you at least one cheerful assistant to your 
scheme.” 

u You speak fair,” cried the colonel, u and like 
two discreet and worthy girls ! Well, then, our 
first step shall be to send a message to Dillon and 
the captain, and invite them to attend your coffee. 
I see the hour approaches.” 

Cecilia made no reply, but looked distressed, 
and dropped her mild eyes to the carpet ; but Miss 
Plowden took it upon herself to answer. 

u Nay, sir, that would be for them to proceed 
in the matter ; as your proposal was that the first 
step should be ours, suppose we all adjourn to your 
part of the house, and do the honours of the tea- 
table in your drawing-room, instead of our own. 
I understand, sir, that you have had an apartment 
fitted up for that purpose in some style ; a woman’s 
taste might aid your designs, however.” 

u Miss Plowden, I believe I intimated to you 
some time since,” said the displeased colonel, 
u that so long as certain suspicious vessels were 
known to hover on this coast, I should desire that 
you and Miss Howard would confine yourselves to 
this wing.” 

u Do not say that we confine ourselves,” said 
Katherine, “ but let it be spoken in plain English, 
that you confine us here.” 

u Am I a gaoler, madam, that you apply such 
epithets to my conduct ! Miss Alice must form 
strange conclusions of our manners, if she receive 
her impressions from your very singular remarks 
1 — ” 

u All measures adopted from a dread of the ship 
and schooner that ran within the Devil’s Grip, ye3- 


THE PILOT 


143 


ter-eve, may be dispensed with now,” interrupted 
Mi ss Dunscombe, in a melancholy, reflecting tone. 
u There are few living, who know the dangerous 
paths that can conduct even the smallest craft in 
safety from the land, with daylight and fair winds ; 
but when darkness and adverse gales oppose 
them, the chance for safety lies wholly in God’s 
kindness.” 

“ There is truly much reason to believe they 
are lost,” returned the veteran, in a voice in which 
no exultation was apparent. 

u They are not lost !” exclaimed Katherine 
with startling energy, leaving her seat, and walk- 
ing across the room to join Cecilia, with an air tha+ 
seemed to elevate her little figure to the height of 
her cousin. u They are skilful and they are brave, 
and what gallant sailors can do, will they do, and 
successfully; besides, in whose behalf would a just 
Providence sooner exercise its merciful power, 
than to protect the daring children of an oppressed 
country, while contending against tyranny and 
countless wrongs?” 

The conciliating disposition of the colonel de- 
serted him, as he listened. His own black eyes 
sparkled with a vividness unusual for his years, 
and his courtesy barely permitted the lady to con- 
clude, ere he broke forth. 

u What sin, madam, what damning crime, would 
sooner call down the just wrath of Heaven on the 
transgressors, than the act of foul rebellion ? It 
was this crime, madam, that deluged England in 
blood in the reign of the first Charles ; it is this 
crime that has dyed more fields red than all the 
rest of man’s offences united ; it has been visited 
on our race as a condign punishment, from the 
days of the deservedly devoted Absalom, down to 
the present time ; in short, it lost heaven for evei 


144 


THE PILOT. 


to some of the most glorious of its angels, and 
there is much reason to believe that it is the one 
unpardonable sin named in the holy gospels.” 

“ I know not that you have authority for believ- 
ing it to be the heavy enormity that you mention, 
Colonel Howard,” said Miss Dunscombe, antici- 
pating the spirited reply of Katherine, and willing 
to avert it ; she hesitated an instant, and then draw- 
ing a heavy, shivering sigh, she continued, in a 
voice that grew softer as she spoke — “ ’tis indeed 
a crime of magnitude, and one that throws the 
common backslidings of our lives, speaking by com- 
parison, into the sunshine of his favour. Many 
there are, who sever the dearest ties of this life, 
by madly rushing into its sinful vortex ; for I fain 
think the heart grows hard with the sight of hu- 
man calamity, and becomes callous to the miseries 
its owner inflicts ; especially where we act the 
wrongs on our own kith and kin, regardless who 
or how many that are dear to us suffer by our evil 
deeds. It is, besides, Colonel Howard, a dan- 
gerous temptation, to one little practised in the 
great world, to find himself suddenly elevated into 
the seat of power ; and if it do not lead to the 
commission of great crimes, it surely prepares the 
way to it, by hardening the heart.” 

“ I hear you patiently, Miss Alice,” said Kathe- 
rine, dancing her little foot, in affected coolness, 
u for you neither know of whom nor to whom you 
speak. But Colonel Howard has not that apology. 
Peace, Cecilia, for I must speak ! Believe them 
not, dear girl ; there is not a wet hair on their 
heads. For you, Colonel Howard, who must re- 
collect that the sister’s son of the mothers of both 
your niece and myself is on board that frigate, 
there is an appearance of cruelty in using such lan- 
guage.” 


THE PILOT. 


145 


u I pity the boy ! from my soul 1 pity him !” ex- 
claimed the veteran ; u he is a child, and has fol- 
lowed the current that is sweeping out unhappy 
colonies down the tide of destruction. But there 
are others in that vessel, who have no excuse of 
ignorance to offer. There is a son of my old ac- 
quaintance, and the bosom friend of my brother 
Harry, Cecilia’s father, dashing Hugh Griffith, as 
we called him. The urchins left home together, 
and were rated on board one of his majesty’s ves- 
sels on the same day. Poor Harry lived to carry 
a broad pennant in the service, and Hugh died in 
command of a frigate. This boy, too ! he was nur- 
tured on board his father’s vessel, and learned, 
from his majesty’s discipline, how to turn his arms 
against his king. There is something shockingly 
unnatural in that circumstance, Miss Alice; ’tis like 
the child inflicting a blow on the parent. ’Tis such 
men as these, with Washington at their head, who 
maintain the bold front this rebellion wears.” 

u There are men, who have never worn the ser- 
vile livery of Britain, sir, whose names are as fond- 
ly cherished in America as any that she boasts 
of,” said Katherine, proudly ; “ ay, sir, and those 
who would gladly oppose the bravest officers in 
the British fleet.” 

u I contend not against your misguided reason,” 
said Colonel Howard, rising with cool respect. 
“ A young lady who ventures to compare rebels 
with gallant gentlemen engaged in their duty to 
their prince, cannot escape the imputation of pos- 
sessing a misguided reason. No man — I speak not 
of women, who cannot be supposed so well versed 
in human nature — but no man, who has reached 
the time of life that entitles him to be called by 
that name, can consort with these disorganizes, 
who would destroy every thing that is sacred — 

13 


146 


THE PILOT. 


these levellers, who would pull down the great, to 
exalt the little — these jacobites, who — who — ” 

“ Nay, sir, if you are at a loss for opprobrious 
epithets,” said Katherine, with provoking coolness, 
“ call on Mr. Christopher Dillon for assistance ; he 
waits your pleasure at the door.” 

Colonel Howard turned in amazement, forget- 
ting his angry declamations at this unexpected in- 
telligence, and beheld, in reality, the sombre vi- 
sage of his kinsman, who stood holding the door 
in his hand, apparently as much surprised at find- 
ing himself in the presence of the ladies, as they 
hemselves could be at his unusual visit. 


CHAPTER XI. 


“ Pritbee, Kate, let’s stand aside, and see the end of this controversy 

Shakspeare 


During the warm discussions of the preceding 
chapter, Miss Howard had bowed her pale face to 
the arm of the couch, and sate an unwilling and 
distressed listener to the controversy ; but now 
that another, and one whom she thought an unau- 
thorized intruder on her privacy, was announced, 
she asserted the dignity of her sex as proudly, 
though with something more of discretion, than 
her cousin could possibly have done. Rising from 
her seat, she inquired — 

u To what are we indebted for so unexpected a 
visit from Mr. Dillon ? Surely he must know that 
we are prohibited going to the part of the dwell- 
ing where he resides, and I trust Colonel Howard 
will tell him that common justice requires we 
should be permitted to be private.” 

. The gentleman replied, in a manner in which 
malignant anger was sufficiently mingled with cal- 
culating humility — * 

“ Miss Howard will think better of my intru- 
sion, when she knows that I come on business of 
importance to her uncle.” 

“ Ah ! that may alter the case, Kit ; but the 
ladies must have the respect that is due to their 


143 


THE PI LOT. 


sex. I forgot, somehow, to have myself announced ; 
but that Borroughcliffe leads me deeper into my 
Madeira than I have been accustomed to go, since 
the time when my poor brother Harry, with his 
worthy friend, Hugh Griffith — the devil seize 
Hugh Griffith, and all his race — your pardon, Miss 
Alice — what is your business with me, Mr. Dil- 
lon ?” 

“ I bear a message from Captain Borroughcliffe. 
You may remember that, according to your sug- 
gestions, the sentinels were to be changed every 
night, sir.” 

u Ay ! ay ! we practised that in our campaign 
against Montcalm ; ’twas necessary to avoid the 
murders of their Indians, who were sure, Miss 
Alice, to shoot down a man at his post, if he were 
placed two nights running in the same place.” 

u Well, sir, your prudent precautions have not 
been thrown away,” continued Dillon, moving 
farther into the apartment, as if he felt himself be- 
coming a more welcome guest as he proceeded ; 
u the consequences are, that we have already made 
three prisoners.” 

“ Truly it has been a most politic scheme !” ex- 
claimed Katherine Plowden, with infinite contempt. 
“ I suppose, as Mr. Christopher Dillon applauds it 
so highly, that it has some communion with the 
law ! and that the redoubtable garrison of St. Ruth 
are about to reap the high glory of being most suc- 
cessful thief-takers !” 

The sallow face of Dillon actually became livid 
as he replied, and his whole frame shook with the 
rage that he vainly endeavoured to suppress. 

u There may be a closer communion with the 
law, and its ministers, perhaps, than Miss Plowden 
can desire,” he said ; u for rebellion seldom finds 
favour in any Christian code.” 


THE PILOT. 


140 


“ Rebellion !” exclaimed the colonel ; u and 
what has this detention of three vagabonds to do 
with rebellion, Kit ? Has the damnable poison 
found its way across the Atlantic ? — your pardon, 
Miss Alice — but this is a subject on which you can 
feel with me ; I know your sentiments on the al- 
legiance that is due to our anointed sovereign. — ■ 
Speak, Mr. Dillon, are we surrounded by another 
set of Demons ! if so, we must give ourselves to 
the work, and rally round our prince ; for this 
island is the main pillar of his throne .’ 5 

“ I cannot say that there is any appearance, at 
present, of an intention to rise in this island , 55 said 
Dillon, with demure gravity ; u though the riots 
in London warrant any precautionary measures on 
the part of his majesty’s ministers, even to a sus- 
pension of the habeas corpus. But you have had 
your suspicions concerning two certain vessels that 
have been threatening the coast, for several days 
past, in a most piratical manner ?” 

The little foot of Katherine played rapidly on 
the splendid carpet, but she contented herself with 
bestowing a glance of the most sovereign contempt 
on the speaker, as if she disdained any further re- 
ply. With the colonel, however, this was touch- 
ing a theme that lay nearest his heart, and he an- 
swered, in a manner worthy of the importance of 
the subject — 

u You speak like a sensible man, and a loyal 
subject, Mr. Dillon. The habeas corpus, Miss 
Alice, was obtained in the reign of King John, 
along with magna charta, for the security of the 
throne, by his majesty’s barons ; some of my own 
blood were of the number, which alone would be 
a pledge that the dignity of the crown was properly 
consulted. As to our piratical countrymen, Chris- 
topher, there is much reason to think that the ven- 

ia* 


150 


THE PILOT. 


geance of an offended Providence has already 
reached them. Those who know the coast well, 
tell me that without a better pilot than an enemy 
would be likely to procure, it would be impossible 
for any vessel to escape the shoals among which 
they entered, on a dark night, and with an adverse 
gale ; the morning has arrived, and they are not 
to be seen !” 

“ But be they friends or be they enemies, sir,” 
continued Dillon, respectfully, u there is much 
reason to think that we have now in the Abbey 
those who can tell us something of their true cha- 
racter ; for the men we have detained carry with 
them the appearance of having just landed, and 
wear not only the dress but the air of seamen.” 
u Of seamen !” echoed Katherine, a deadly 
paleness chasing from her cheeks the bloom which 
indignation had heightened. 

“ Of seamen, Miss Plowden,” repeated Dillon, 
with malignant satisfaction, but concealing it un- 
der an air of submissive respect. 

“ I thank you, sir, for so gentle a term,” re- 
plied the young lady, recollecting herself, and re- 
covering her presence of mind in the same in- 
stant ; u the imagination of Mr. Dillon is so apt to 
conjure the worst, that he is entitled to our praise 
for so far humouring our weakness, as not tc 
alarm us with the apprehensions of their being pi- 
rates.” 

cc Nay, madam, they may yet deserve tha, 
name,” returned the other, coolly ; u but my edu- 
cation has instructed me to hear the testimony be- 
fore I pronounce sentence.” 

u Ah ! that the boy has found in his Coke upon 
Littleton,” cried the colonel ; “ the law is a salu- 
tary corrective to human infirmities, Miss Alice, 
and among other things, it teaches patience to a 


THE PILOT. 


151 


hasty temperament. But for this cursed, unnatu- 
ral rebellion, madam, the young man would, at this 
moment, have been diffusing its blessings from a 
judicial chair, in one of the colonies — ay ! and I 
pledge myself, to all alike, black and white, red 
and yeflow, with such proper dictinctions as na- 
ture has made between the officer and the private. 
Keep a good heart, kinsman ; we shall yet find a 
time ! the royal arms have many hands, and things 
look better at the last advices. But come, we will 
proceed to the guard-room, and put these strag- 
glers to the question ; runaways, I’ll venture to 
predict, from one of his majesty’s cruisers, or, per- 
haps, honest subjects engaged in supplying the ser- 
vice with men. Come, Kit, come, let us go, and — ” 

“ Are we then to lose the company of Colonel 
Howard so soon ?” said Katherine, advancing to 
her guardian, w ith an air of blandishment and plea- 
santry. a I know that he too soon forgets the 
hasty language of our little disputes, to part in an- 
ger, if, indeed, he will even quit us dll he has 
tasted of our coffee.” 

The veteran turned to the speaker of this unex- 
pected address, and listened with profound atten- 
tion. When she had done, he replied, with a good 
deal of softness in his tones — 

“ Ah ! provoking one ! you know me too well, 
to doubt my forgiveness ; but duty must be at- 
tended to, though even a young lady’s smiles tempt 
me to remain. Yes, yes, child, you, too, are the 
daughter of a very brave and worthy seaman ; but 
you carry your attachment to that profession too 
far, Miss Plowden — you do, indeed you do.” 

Katherine might have faintly blushed, but the 
slight smile, which mingled wdth the expression of 
her shame, gave to her countenance a look of ad- 
ditional archness, and she laid her hand lightly on 


152 


THE PILOT. 


the sleeve of her guardian, to detain him, as she 
replied — 

“ Yet why leave us, Colonel Howard ? It is 
long since we have seen you in the cloisters, and 
you know you come as a father ; tarry, and you 
may yet add confessor to the title.” 

“ I know thy sins already, girl,” said the worthy 
colonel, unconsciously yielding to her gentle efforts 
to lead him back to his seat ; “ they are, deadly 
rebellion in your heart to your prince, a most in- 
veterate propensity to salt-water, and a great dis- 
respect to the advice and wishes of an old fellow 
whom your father’s will and the laws of the realm 
have made the guardian of your person and for- 
tune.” 

“ Nay, say not the last, dear sir,” cried Kathe- 
rine ; u for there is not a syHable you have ever 
said to me, on that foolish subject, that I have for- 
gotten. Will you resume your seat again ? Ceci- 
lia, Colonel Howard consents to take his coffee 
with us.” 

u But you forget the three men, honest Kit, 
there, and our respectable guest, Captain Bor- 
roughcliffe.” 

u Let honest Kit stay there, if he please ; you 
may send a request to Captain Borroughcliffe 
to join our party ; I have a woman’s curiosity to 
see the soldier ; and as for the three men — ” she 
paused, and affected to muse a moment, when she 
continued, as if struck by an obvious thought — 
“Yes, and the men eafri be brought in and ex- 
amined here ; who knows but they may have been 
wrecked in the gale, and need our pity and assist* 
ance, rather than deserve your suspicions.” 

“ There is a solemn warning in Miss Plowden’s 
conjecture^ that should come home to the breasts 
of all who live on this wild coast,” said Alice Duns- 


THE PILOT. 


153 


combe ; u 1 have known many a sad wreck among 
the hidden shoals, and when the wind has blown 
but a gentle gale, compared to last night’s tempest. 
The wars, and the uncertainties of the times, to- 
gether with man’s own wicked passions, have made 
great havoc with those who knew well the wind- 
ings of the channels among the u Ripples.” Some 
there were who could pass, as I have often heard, 
within a fearful distance of the “ Devil’s Grip,” 
the darkest night that ever shadowed England : 
but all are now gone of that daring set, either by 
the hand of death, or, what is even as mournful, 
by unnatural banishment from the land of their fa- 
thers.” 

“ This war has then probably drawn off most of 
them, for your recollections must be quite recent. 
Miss Alice,” said the veteran ; u as many of them 
were engaged in the business of robbing his majes- 
ty’s revenue, the country is in some measure re- 
quited for their former depredations, by their pre- 
sent services, and at the same time it is happily 
rid of their presence. Ah ! madam, ours is a glo- 
rious constitution, where things are so nicely ba- 
lanced, that, as in the physical organization of a 
healthy, vigorous man, the baser parts are purified 
in the course of things, by its own wholesome 
struggles.” 

The pale features of Alice Dunscombe became 
slightly tinged with rpd, as the colonel proceeded, 
nor did the faint glow entirely leave her pallid 
face, until she had said — 

“ There might have been some who knew not 
how to respect the laws of the land, for such are 
never wanting ; but there were others, who, how- 
ever guilty they might be in many respects, need 
not charge themselves with that mean crime, and 
yet who could find the passages that lie hid from 


154 


THE PILOT. 


common eyes, beneath the rude waves, as well as 
you could find the way through the halls and gal- 
leries of the Abbey, with a noonday sun shining 
upon its vanes and high chimneys.’ 5 

u Is it your pleasure, Colonel Howard, that we 
examine the three men, and ascertain whether they 
belong to the number of these gifted pilots ?” said 
Christopher Dillon, who was growing uneasy at 
his awkward situation, and who hardly deemed it 
necessary to conceal the look of contempt which 
he cast at the mild Alice, while he spoke ; u per- 
haps we may gather information enough from them, 
to draw a chart of the coast that may gain us cre- 
dit with my lords of the Admiralty.” 

This unprovoked attack on their unresisting and 
unoffending guest, brought the rich blood to the 
very temples of Miss Howard, who rose, and ad- 
dressed herself to her kinsman, with a manner that 
could not easily be mistaken, any more than it 
could be condemned — 

“ If Mr. Dillon will comply with the wishes of 
Colonel Howard, as my cousin has expressed them, 
we shall not, at least, have to accuse ourselves of 
unnecessarily detaining men who probably are 
more unfortunate than guilty.” 

When she concluded, Cecilia walked across the 
apartment, and took a seat by the side of Alice 
Dunscombe, with whom she began to converse, in 
a low, soothing tone of voice. Mr. Dillon bowed 
with a deprecating humility, and having ascertained 
that Colonel Howard chose to give an audience, 
where he sate, to the prisoners, he withdrew to 
execute his mission, secretly exulting at any change 
that promised to lead to a renewal of an intercourse 
that might terminate more to his advantage, than 
the lofty beauty whose favour he courted was, at 
present, disposed to concede. 


THE PILOT. 


155 


u Christopher is a worthy, serviceable, good 
fellow,” said the colonel, when the door closed, 
“ and 1 hope to live, yet, to see him clad in er- 
mine ; I would not be understood literally, but 
figuratively, for furs would but ill comport with 
the climate of the Carolinas. 1 trust I am to be 
consulted by his majesty’s ministers w T hen the new 
appointments shall be made for the subdued colo- 
nies, and he may safely rely on my good word be- 
ing spoken in his favour. Would he not make an 
excellent and independent ornament of the bench, 
Miss Plowden ?” 

Katherine compressed her lips a little, as she 
replied — 

“ I must profit by his own discreet rules, and 
see testimony to that effect, before I decide, sir. 
But listen !” The young lady’s colour changed 
rapidly, and her eyes became fixed in a sort of 
feverish gaze on the door. “ He has at least been 
active ; I hear the heavy tread of men already ap- 
proaching.” 

u Ah ! it is he certainly ; justice ought always 
to be prompt as well as certain, to make it perfect ; 
like a drum-head court-martial, which, by the way, 
is as summary a sort of government as heart could 
wish to live under. If his majesty’s ministers 
could be persuaded to introduce into the revolted 
colonies — 

“ Listen !” interrupted Katherine, in a voice 
which bespoke her deep anxiety ; “ they draw 
near !” 

The sound of footsteps was in fact now so audi 
ble as to induce the colonel to suspend the delive- 
ry of his plan for governing the recovered pro- 
vinces. The long, low gallery, which was paved 
with a stone flagging, soon brought the footsteps 
of the approaching party more distinctly to their 


156 


THE PILOT. 


ears, and presently a low tap at the door announced 
their arrival. Colonel Howard arose, with the air 
of one who was to sustain the principal character 
m the ensuing interview, and bade them enter. 
Cecilia and Alice Dunscombe merely cast careless 
looks at the opening door, indifferent to the scene ; 
but the quick eye of Katherine embraced, at a 
glance, every figure in the group. Drawing a 
long, quivering breath, she fell back on the couch, 
and her eyes again lighted with their playful ex- 
pression, as she hummed a low, rapid air, with a 
voice in which even the suppressed tones were li- 
quid melody. 

Dillon entered, preceding the soldier, whose 
gait had become more steady, and in whose rigid 
eye a thoughtful expression had taken the place 
of its former vacant gaze. In short, something 
had manifestly restored to him a more complete 
command of his mental powers, although he might 
not have been absolutely sobered. The rest of 
the party continued in the gallery, while Mr. Dil- 
lon presented the renovated captain to the colonel, 
when the latter did him the same kind office with 
the ladies. 

“ Miss Plowden,”said the veteran, for she offered 
first in the circle, u this is my friend, Captain 
Borroughcliffe ; he has long been ambitious of this 
honour, and I have no doubt his reception will be 
such as to leave him no cause to repent he has 
been at last successful.” 

Katherine smiled, and answered, with ambigu- 
ous emphasis — 

“ I know not how to thank him sufficiently for 
the care he has bestowed on our poor persons.” 

The soldier looked steadily at her, for a moment, 
with an eye that seemed to threaten a retaliation 
in kind, ere he replied — 


THE PILOT. 


15 ? 


One of those smiles, madam, would be an am- 
ple compensation for services that are more real 
than such as exist only in intention.” 

Katherine bowed with more complacency than 
she usually bestowed on those who wore the Bri- 
tish uniform, and they proceeded to the next. 

“ This is Miss Alice Dunscombe, Captain Bor- 
roughcliffe, daughter of a very worthy clergyman 
who was formerly the curate of this parish, and a 
lady who does us the pleasure of giving us a good 
deal of her society, though far less than we all wish 
for.” 

The captain returned the civil inclination of 
Alice, and the colonel proceeded. 

“ Miss Howard, allow me to present Captain 
Borroughcliffe, a gentleman who, having volun- 
teered to defend St. Ruth in these critical times, 
merits all the favour of its mistress.” 

Cecilia gracefully rose, and received her guest 
with sweet complacency. The soldier made no re- 
ply to the customary compliments that she uttered, 
but stood an instant gazing at her speaking coun- 
tenance, and then, laying his hand involuntarily on 
his breast, bowed nearly to his sword-hilt. 

These formalities duly observed, the colonel de- 
clared his readiness to receive the prisoners. As 
the door was opened by Dillon, Katherine cast a 
cool and steady look at the strangers, and beheld 
the light glancing along the arms of the soldiers 
who guarded them. But the seamen entered 
alone ; while the rattling of arms, and the heavy 
dash of the muskets on the stone pavement, an- 
nounced that it was thought prudent to retain a 
force at hand, to watch these secret intruders on 
the grounds of the abbey. 


14 


CHAPTER XII. 


K Food for powder ; they’ll fill a pit as well as belter.” 

Falstaff. 


The three men, who now entered the apart- 
ment, appeared to be nothing daunted by the pre- 
sence into which they were ushered, though clad 
in the coarse and weather-beaten vestments of 
seamen who had been exposed to recent and se- 
vere duty. They silently obeyed the direction of 
the soldier’s finger, and took their stations in a 
distant corner of the room, like men who knew 
the deference due to rank, at the same time that 
the habits of their lives had long accustomed them 
to encounter the vicissitudes of the world. With 
this slight preparation, Colonel Howard began the 
business of examination. 

“ I trust ye are all good and loyal subjects,” the 
veteran commenced, with a considerate respect 
for innocence, “ but the times are such that even 
the most worthy characters become liable to sus- 
picion ; and, consequently, if our apprehensions 
should prove erroneous, you must overlook the 
mistake, and attribute it to the awful condition in- 
to which rebellion has plunged this empire. We 
have much reason to fear that some project is 
about to be undertaken on the coast by the enemy, 


THE PILOT 


159 


who has appeared, we know, with a frigate and 
schooner ; and the audacity of the rebels is only 
equalled by their shameless and wicked disrespect 
for the rights of the sovereign.” 

While Colonel Howard was uttering his apolo- 
getic preamble, the prisoners fastened their eyes 
on him with much interest ; but when he alluded 
to the apprehended attack, the gaze of two of 
them became more keenly attentive, and, before 
he concluded, they exchanged furtive glances of 
deep meaning. No reply was made, however, and 
after a short pause, as if to allow time for his words 
to make a proper impression, the veteran con- 
tinued — 

“ We have no evidence, I understand, that you 
are in the smallest degree connected with the ene- 
mies of this country ; but as you have been found 
out of the king’s highway, or, rather, on a by-path, 
which I must confess is frequently used by the 
people of the neighbourhood, but which is never- 
theless nothing but a by-path, it becomes no more 
than what self-preservation requires of us, to ask 
you a few such questions as I trust will be satis- 
factorily answered. To use your own nautical 
phrases, c from whence came ye, pray ?’ and c whi- 
ther are ye bound ?’ ” 

A low, deep voice replied — 

“ From Sunderland, last, and bound, over land, 
to Whitehaven.” 

This simple and direct answer was hardly given, 
before the attention of the listeners was called to 
Alice Dunscombe, who uttered a faint shriek, and 
rose from her seat involuntarily, while her eyes 
seemed to roll fearfully, and perhaps a little wild 
ly, round the room. 

“ Are you ill, Miss Alice ?” said the sweet, 
soothing tones of Cecilia Howard ; u you are, in- 


160 


THE PILOT. 


deed you are ; lean on me, that I may lead you to 
your apartment.” 

“ Did you hear it, or was it only fancy !” she 
answered, her cheek blanched to the whiteness of 
death, and her whole frame' shuddering as if in 
convulsions ; “ say, did you hear it too ?” 

“ I have heard nothing but the voice of my un- 
cle, who is standing near you, anxious, as we all 
are, for your recovery from this dreadful agitation.” 
Alice still gazed wildly from face to face. Her 
eye did not rest satisfied with dwelling on those 
who surrounded her, but surveyed, with a sort of 
frantic eagerness, the figures and appearance of 
the three men, who stood in humble patience, the 
silent and unmoved witnesses of this extraordinary 
scene. At length she veiled her eyes with both 
her hands, as if to shut out some horrid vision, and 
then removing them, she smiled languidly, as she 
signed for Cecilia to assist her from the room. To 
the polite and assiduous offers of the gentlemen, 

she returned no other thanks than those conveyed 

* 

in her looks and gestures ; but when the sentinels 
who paced the gallery were passed, and the ladies 
were alone, she breathed a long, shivering sigh, 
and found an utterance. 

“ ’Twas like a voice from the silent grave !” 
she said, u but it could be no more than mockery. 
No, no, ’tis a just punishment for letting the image 
of the creature fill the place that should be occu- 
pied only with the Creator. Ah ! Miss Howard, 
Miss Plowden, ye are both young — in the pride 
of your beauty and loveliness — but little do ye 
know, and less do ye dread, the temptations and 
errors of a sinful world.” 

“ Her thoughts wander !” whispered Kathenne, 
with anxious tenderness ; “ some awful calamity 
has affected her intellects f ” 


THE PILOT. 


161 


u Yes, it must be ; my sinful thoughts have 
wandered, and conjured sounds that it would have 
been dreadful to have heard in truth, and within 
these walls,” said Alice, more composedly, smiling 
with a ghastly expression, as she gazed on the two 
beautiful solicitous maidens who supported her 
yielding person. “ But the moment of weakness is 
passed, and I am better ; aid me to my room, and 
return, that you may not interrupt the reviving 
harmony between yourselves and Colonel How- 
ard. I am now better, nay, I am quite restored.” 

“ Say not so, dear Miss Alice,” returned Ce- 
cilia ; “ your face denies what your kindness to us 
induces you to utter ; ill, very ill, you are, nor 
shall even your own commands induce me to leave 
you.” 

“ Remain, then,” said Miss Dunscombe, be- 
stowing a look of grateful affection on hlr lovely 
supporter ; u and while our Katherine returns to 
the drawing-room, to give the gentlemen their 
coffee, you shall continue with me, as my gentle 
nurse.” 

By this time they had gained the apartment, 
and Katherine, after assisting her cousin to place 
Alice on her bed, returned to do the honours of 
the drawing-room. 

Colonel Howard ceased his examination of the 
prisoners at her entrance, to inquire, with courtly 
solicitude, after the invalid ; and, when his ques- 
tions were answered, he again proceeded, as fol- 
lows — 

u This is what the lads would call plain-sailing, 
Borroughcliffe ; they are out of employment in 
Sunderland, and have acquaintances and relatives 
in Whitehaven, to whom they are going for assist- 
ance and laboui . All very probable, and perfectly 
harmless.” 

14 * 


162 


THE PILOT. 


<c Nothing more so, my respectable host,’' re- 
turned the jocund soldier ; u but it seemeth a 
grievous misfortune that a trio of such flesh and 
blood should need work wherewithal to exercise 
their thews and sinews, while so many of the ves- 
sels of his majesty’s fleet navigate the ocean in 
quest of the enemies of old England.” 

“ There is truth in that ; much truth in your 
remark,” cried the colonel. “ What say you, my 
lads, will you fight the Frenchman and the Don, 
ay ! and even my own rebellious and infatuated 
countrymen ? Nay, by heaven, it is not a trifle 
that shall prevent his majesty from possessing the 
services of three such heroes. Here are five 
guineas a-piece for you the moment that you put 
foot on board the Alacrity cutter ; and that can 
easily be done, as she lies at anchor this very night, 
only two short leagues to the south of this, in a 
small port, where she is riding out the gale as 
snugly as if she were in a corner of this room.” 
One of the men affected to gaze at the money 
with longing eyes, while he asked, as if weighing 
the terms of the engagement — 

u Whether the Alacrity was called a good sea- 
boat, and was thought to give a comfortable birth 
to her crew ?” 

“ Comfortable !” echoed Borroughcliffe ; u for 
that matter, she is called the bravest cutter in the 
navy. You have seen much of the world, I dare 
say ; did you ever see such a place as the marine 
arsenal at Carthagena, in old Spain ?” 

“ Indeed I have, sir,” returned the seaman, in a 
cool, collected tone. 

“ Ah ! you have ! well, did you ever meet with 
a house in Paris that they call the Tuileries ? 
because it’s a dog-kennel to the Alacrity.” 

u I have even fallen in with the place you men- 


THE PILOT 


163 


tion, sir,” returned the sailor ; Cl and must own 
the birth quite good enough for such as I am, if it 
tallies with your description.” 

u The deuce take these blue-jackets,” muttered 
Borroughcliffe, addressing himself unconsciously 
to Miss Plowden, near whom he happened to be 
at the time ; a they run their tarry countenances 
into all the corners of the earth, and abridge a 
man most lamentably in his comparisons. Now, 
who the devil would have thought that fellow had 
ever put his sea-green eyes on the palace of King 
Louis !” 

Katherine heeded not his speech, but sat eye- 
ing the prisoners with a confused and wavering ex- 
pression of countenance, while Colonel Howard 
renewed the discourse, by exclaiming — 

u Come, come, Borroughcliffe, let us give the 
lads no tales for a recruit, but good, plain, honest 
English — God bless the language, and the land for 
which it was first made, too. There is no necessi- 
ty to tell these men, if they are, what they seem 
to be, practical seamen, that a cutter of ten guns 
contains all the room and accommodation of a pa- 
lace.” 

u Do you allow nothing for English oak and 
English comfort, mine host,” said the immoveable 
captain ; “ do you think, good sir, that I measure 
fitness and propriety by square and compass, as if 
I were planning Solomon’s temple anew ! All I 
mean to say is, that the Alacrity is a vessel of sin- 
gular compactness and magical arrangement of 
room. Like the tent of that handsome brother of 
the fairy, in the Arabian Nights, she is big or she 
is little, as occasion needeth ; and now, hang me, 
if I don’t think I have uttered more in her favour 
than her commander would say to help me to a re- 
cruit, though no lad in the three kingdoms should 


164 


THE PILOT. 


appear willing to try how a scarlet coat would suit 
his boorish figure.” 

u That time has not yet arrived, and God forbid 
that it ever should, while the monarch needs a sol- 
dier in the field to protect his rights. But what 
say ye, my men ? you have heard the recommenda- 
tion that Captain Borroughclitfe has given of the 
Alacrity, which is altogether true — after making 
some allowances for language. Will ye serve ? 
'shall I order you a cheering glass a man, and 
lay by the gold, till I hear from the cutter that 
you are enrolled under the banners of the best of 
kings ?” 

Katherine Plowden, who hardly seemed to 
breathe, so close and intent was the interest with 
which she regarded the seamen, fancied she ob- 
served lurking smiles on their faces ; but if her 
conjectures were true, their disposition to be mer- 
ry went no farther, and the one who had spoken 
hitherto, replied, in the same calm manner as be- 
fore — 

u You will excuse us, if we decline shipping in 
the cutter, sir ; we are used to distant voyages and 
large vessels, whereas the Alacrity is kept at coast 
duty, and is not of a size to lay herself alongside 
of a Don or a Frenchman with a double row of 
teeth.” 

“ If you prefer that sort of sport, you must to 
the right-about for Yarmouth; there you will find 
ships that will meet any thing that swims,” said 
the colonel. 

u Perhaps the gentlemen would prefer abandon- 
ing the cares and dangers of the ocean for a life of 
ease and gayety,” said the captain. u The hand 
that has long dallied with a marlinspike may be ea- 
sily made to feel a trigger, as gracefully as a lady 
touches the keys of her piano. In short, there is 


THE PILOT. 


165 


and there is not a great resemblance between the 
life of a sailor, and that of a soldier. There are 
no gales of wind, nor short-allowances, nor reefing 
topsails, nor shipwrecks, among soldiers — and at 
the same time, there is just as much, or even more 
grog-drinking, jollifying, care-killing fun around a 
canteen and an open knapsack, than there is on 
the end of a mess-chest, with a full can and a Sa- 
turday night’s breeze. I have crossed the ocean 
several times, and I must own that a ship, in good 
weather, is very much the same as a camp or com- 
fortable barracks ; mind, I say only in very good 
weather.” 

u We have no doubt that all you say is true, 
sir,” observed the spokesman of the three, u but 
what to you may seem a hardship, to us is plea- 
sure. We have faced too many a gale to mind a 
cap-full of wind, and should think ourselves always 
in the calm latitudes, in one of your barracks, 
where there is nothing to do but to eat our grub, 
and to march a little fore and aft a small piece of 
green earth. We hardly know one end of a mus- 
ket from the other.” 

“ No !” said BorroughclifFe, musing ; and then 
advancing with a quick step towards them, he 
cried, in a spirited manner — u attention ! right, 
dress !” 

The speaker, and the seaman next him, gazed • 
at the captain in silent wonder ; but the third in- 
dividual of the party, who had drawn himself a lit- 
tle aside, as if willing to be unnoticed, or perhaps 
pondering on his condition, involuntarily started at 
this unexpected order, and erecting himself, threw 
his head to the right as promptly as if he had been 
on a parade ground. 

u Oho ! ye are apt scholars, gentlemen, and ye 
can learn, I see,” continued BorroughclifFe. “ 1 


166 


THE PILOT. 


feel it to be proper that I detain these men till to- 
morrow morning, Colonel Howard, and yet 1 
would give them better quarters than the hard 
benches of the guard-room.” 

u Act your pleasure, Captain Borroughcliffe,” 
returned the host, “ so you do but your duty to 
our royal master. They shall not want for cheer, 
and they can have a room over the servants’ of- 
fices in the south side of the Abbey.” 

“ Three rooms, my colonel, three rooms must 
be provided, though I give up my own.” 

u There are several small empty apartments 
there, where blankets might be taken, and the 
men placed for safe keeping, if you deem it neces- 
sary ; though, to me, they seem like good, loyal 
tars, whose greatest glory it would be to serve 
their prince, and whose principal pleasure would 
consist in getting alongside of a Don or a Mon- 
sieur.” 

“ We shall discuss these matters anon,” said 
Rorroughcliffe, dryly. “ I see Miss Plowden be- 
gins to look grave at our abusing her patience so 
long, and I know mat cold coffee is, like withered 
love, but a tasteless sort of a beverage. Come, 
gentlemen, en avant ! you have seen the Tuileries, 
and must have heard a little French. Mr. Chris- 
topher Dillon, know you where these three small 
apartments are 4 situate, lying, and being,’ as your 
parchments read ?” 

44 I do, sir,” said the complying lawyer, 44 and 
shall take much pleasure in guiding you to them. 
I think your decision that of a prudent and saga- 
cious officer, and much doubt whether Durham 
Castle, or some other fortress, will be thought too 
big to hold them, ere long.” 

As this speech was uttered while the men were 
passing from the room, its effect on them was un- 


THE PILOT. 


167 


noticed ; but Katherine Plowden, who was left for 
a few moments by herself, sat and pondered over 
what she had seen and heard, with a thoughtful- 
ness of manner that was not usual to her gay and 
buoyant spirits. The sounds of the retiring foot- 
steps, however, gradually grew fainter, and the re- 
turn of her guardian alone recalled the recollection 
of the young lady to the duties of her situation. 

While engaged in the little offices of the tea- 
table, Katherine threw many furtive glances at the 
veteran ; but, although he seemed to be" musing, 
there was nothing austere or suspicious in his frank, 
open countenance. 

“ There is much useless trouble taken with 
these wandering seamen, sir,” said Katherine, at 
length ; “ it seems to be the particular province of 
Mr. Christopher Dillon, to make all that come in 
contact with him excessively uncomfortable.” 

“ And what has Kit to do with the detention of 
the men ?” 

u What ! why, has he not undertaken to stand 
godfather to their prisons ? — by a woman’s pa- 
tience, I think, Colonel Howard, this business 
will gain a pretty addition to the names of St. 
Ruth. It is already called a house, an abbey, a 
place, and by some a castle ; let Mr. Dillon have 
his way for a month, and it will add gaol to the 
number.” 

“ Kit is not so happy as to possess the favour 
of Miss Plowden ; but still Kit is a worthy fellow, 
and a good fellow, and a sensible fellow, ay ! and 
what is of more value than all these put together, 
Miss Katherine, Mr. Christopher Dillon is a faith- 
ful and loyal subject to his prince. His mother 
was my cousin-german, madam, and I cannot say 
how soon I may call him my nephew. The Dil- 
lons are of good Irish extraction, and I believe that 


168 


THE PILOT. 


even Miss Plowden will admit that the Howards 
have some pretensions to a name.” 

“ Ah ! it is those very things called names that 
I most allude to,” said Katherine, quickly. “ But 
an hour since, you were indignant, my dear guar- 
dian, because you suspected that I insinuated you 
ought to write gaoler behind the name of Howard, 
and even now you submit to have the office palmed 
upon you.” 

“ You forget, Miss Katherine Plowden, that it 
is the pleasure of one of his majesty’s officers to 
detain these men.” 

u But I thought that the glorious British con- 
stitution, which you so often mention,” interrupted 
the young lady, spiritedly, “ gives liberty to all 
who touch these blessed shores ; you know, sir, 
that out of twenty blacks that you brought with 
you, how few remain ; the rest having fled on the 
wings of the spirit of British liberty !” 

This was touching a festering sore in the colo- 
nel’s feelings, and his provoking ward well knew 
the effects her observation was likely to produce. 
Her guardian did not break forth in a violent burst 
of rage, or furnish those manifestations of his ire 
that he was wont to do on less important subjects, 
but he arose, with all his dignity concentred in a 
look, and, after making a violent effort to restrain 
his feelings within the bounds necessary to pre- 
serve the decorum of his exit, he ventured a reply. 

“ That the British constitution is glorious, ma- 
dam, is most true. That this island is the sole re- 
fuge where liberty has been able to find a home, 
is also true. The tyranny and oppression of the 
Congress, which are grinding down the colonies 
to the powder of desolation and poverty, are not 
worthy of the sacred name. Rebellion pollutes 
all that it touches, madam. Although it often 


THE PILOT. 


169 


commences under the sanction of holy liberty, it 
ever terminates in despotism. The annals of the 
world, from the time of the Greeks and Romans 
down to the present day, abundantly prove it. 
There was that Julius Caesar — he was one of your 
people’s men, and he ended a tyrant. Oliver 
Cromwell was another — -a rebel, a demagogue, and 
a tyrant. The gradations, madam, are as inevita- 
ble as from childhood to youth, and from youth to 
age. As for the little affair that you have been 
pleased to mention, of the — of the — of my private 
concerns, I can only say that the affairs of nations 
are not to be judged of by domestic incidents, any 
more than domestic occurrences are to be judged 
of by national politics.” The colonel, like many 
a better logician, mistook his antithesis for argu- 
ment, and paused a moment to admire his own elo- 
quence ; but the current of his thoughts, which al- 
ways flowed in torrents on this subject, swept him 
along in its course, and he continued— “ Yes, ma 
dam, here, and here alone is true liberty to be 
found. With this solemn asseveration, which is not 
lightly made, but which is the result of sixty 
years’ experience, 1 leave you, Miss Plowden ; 
let it be a subject of deep reflection with you, for 
I too well understand your treacherous feelings not 
to know that your political errors encourage your 
personal foibles ; reflect, for your own sake, if you 
love not only your own happiness, but your re- 
spectability and standing in the world. As for the 
black hounds that you spoke of, they are a set of 
rebellious, mutinous, ungrateful rascals ; and if ever 
I meet one of the damned — •” 

The colonel had so far controlled his feelings, 
as to leave the presence of the lady before he 
broke out into the bitter invectives we have re- 
corded, and Katherine stood a minute, pressing 

15 


J70 


THE PILOT. 


her forefinger on her lips, listening to his voice as 
it grumbled along the gallery, until the sounds were 
finally excluded by the closing of a distant door. 
The wilful girl then shook her dark locks, and a 
smile of arch mischief, blended with an expression 
of regret, in her countenance, as she spoke to her- 
self, while with hurried hands she threw her tea- 
equipage aside in a confused pile — 

a It was perhaps a cruel experiment, but it has 
succeeded. Though prisoners ourselves, we are 
at least left free for the remainder of this night. 
These mysterious sailors must he examined more 
closely. If the proud eye of Edward Griffith was 
not glaring under the black wig of one of them, I 
am no judge of features ; and where has Master 
Barnstable concealed his charming visage ! for nei- 
ther of the others Gould be he. But now for Ce- 
cilia.” 

Her light form glided from the room, while she 
was yet speaking, and flitting along the dimly- 
lighted passages, it disappeared in one of those 
turnings that led to the more secret apartments of 
the abbey. 


CHAPTER XIII 


u How ! Lucia, would’st thou have me sink away 
w In pleasing dreams, and lose myself in love — ” 


Cate. 


The reader must not imagine that the world 
stood still during the occurrence of the scenes we 
have related. By the time the three seamen were 
placed in as many different rooms, and a sentinel 
was stationed in the gallery common to them all, 
in such a manner as to keep an eye on his whole 
charge at once, the hour had run deep into the 
night. Captain Bor rough cliffe obeyed a summons 
from the colonel, who made him an evasive apolo- 
gy for the change in their evening’s amusement, 
and challenged his guest to a renewal of the attack 
on the Madeira. This was too grateful a theme 
to be lightly discussed by the captain, and the ab- 
bey clock had given forth as many of its mournful 
remonstrances as the division of the hours would 
permit, before they separated. In the mean time, 
Mr. Dillon became invisible ; though a servant, 
when questioned by the host on the subject, an- 
nounced, that u he believed Mr. Christopher had 

chosen to ride over to , to be in readiness 

to join the hunt, on the morning, with the dawn.” 
While the gentlemen were thus indulging them- 
selves in the dining parlour, and laughing over 


172 


THE PILOT 


the tales of other times and hard campaigns, two 
very different scenes occurred in other parts of the 
building. 

When the quiet of the abbey was only inter- 
rupted by the howling of the wind, or by the 
loud and prolonged laughs which echoed through 
the passages from the joyous pair, who were thug 
comfortably established by the side of the bottle, 
a door was gently opened on one of the galleries 
of the u cloisters,” and Katherine Plowden issued 
from it, wrapped in a close mantle, and holding in 
her hand a chamber lamp, which threw its dim 
light faintly along the gloomy walls in front, leav- 
ing all behind her obscured in darkness. She was, 
however, soon followed by two other female 
figures, clad in the same manner, and provided 
with similar lights. When all were in the gallery, 
Katherine drew the door softly to, and proceeded 
in front to lead the way. 

“ Hist !” said the low, tremulous voice of Ceci- 
lia, “ they are yet up in the other parts of the 
house ; and if it be as you suspect, our visit would 
betray them, and prove the means of their cer- 
tain destruction.” 

“ Is the laugh of Colonel Howard in his cups so 
singular and unknown to your ear, Cecilia, that 
you know it not?” said Katherine with a little 
spirit ; “ or do you forget that on such occasions 
he seldom leaves himself ears to hear, or eyes to 
see with. But follow me ; it is as I suspect — it must 
be as I suspect ; and unless we do something to 
rescue them, they are lost, without they have laid 
a deeper scheme than is apparent.” 

“ It is a dangerous road ye both journey,” add- 
ed the placid tones of Alice Dunscombe ; “ but 
ye are young, and ye are credulous.” 


THE PILOT. 


m 


cc If you disapprove of our visit,” said Cecilia, 
“ it cannot be right, and we had better return.” 

“ No, no, I have said naught to disapprove of 
your present errand. If God has put the lives of 
those in your custody whom ye have taught your- 
selves to look up to with love and reverence, such 
as woman is bound to yield to one man, he has 
done it for no idle purpose. Lead us to their 
doors, Katherine ; let us relieve our doubts, at 
least.” 

The ardent girl did not wait for a second bid- 
ding, but she led them, with light and quick steps, 
along the gallery, until they reached its termina- 
tion, where they descended to the basement floor 
by a flight of narrow steps, aad carefully opening 
a small door, emerged into the open air. They 
now stood on a small plat of grass, which lay be- 
tween the building and the ornamental garden, 
across which they moved rapidly, concealing theii 
lights, and bending their shrinking forms before 
the shivering blasts that poured their fury upon 
them from the ocean. They soon reached a large 
but rough addition to the buildings, that concealed 
its plain architecture behind the more laboured 
and highly finished parts of the edifice, into which 
they entered through a massive door that stood 
ajar, as if to admit them. 

u Chloe has been true to my orders,” whisper- 
ed Katherine, as they passed out of the chilling 
air ; u now, if all the servants are asleep, our 
chance to escape unnoticed amounts to certainty.” 
It became necessary to go through the servant’s 
hall, which they effected unobserved, as it had but 
one occupant, an aged black man, who, being post- 
ed with his ear within two feet of a bell, in this at- 
titude had committed himself to a deep sleep. 
Gliding through this hall, they entered divers long 

15 * 


174 


THE PILOT. 


and intricate passages, all of which seemed as fa- 
miliar to Katherine as they were unknown to her 
companions, until they reached another flight of 
steps, which they ascended. They were* now near 
their goal, and stopped to examine whether any or 
what difficulties were likely to be opposed to their 
further progress. 

“ Now, indeed, our case seems hopeless, 5 ’ whis- 
pered Katherine, as they stood, concealed by the 
darkness, in one end of an extremely long, nar- 
row passage ; “ here is the sentinel in the build- 
ing, instead of being as I had supposed, under the 
windows ; what is to be done now ?” 

“ Let us return , 55 said Cecilia, in the same man- 
ner; “ my influences with my uncle is great, even 
though he seems unkind to us at times. In the 
morning I will use it to persuade him to free them, 
on receiving their promise to abandon all such at- 
tempts in future . 55 

u In the morning it will be too late , 55 returned 
Katherine ; u I saw that demon, Kit Dillon, mount 
his horse, under the pretence of riding to the great 
hunt of to-morrow, but I know his malicious eye 
too well to be deceived in his errand. He is silent 
that he may be sure, and if to-morrow comes, and 
finds Griffith within these walls, he will be con- 
demned to a scaffold . 55 

“ Say no more , 55 said Alice Dunscombe, with 
singular emotion ; a some lucky circumstance may 
aid us with this sentinel . 55 

As she spoke, she advanced ; they had not pro- 
ceeded far, before the stern voice of the soldier 
challenged the party. 

“ 5 Tis no time to hesitate , 55 whispered Kathe- 
rine ; u we are the ladies of the abbey, looking 
to our domestic affairs , 55 she continued, aloud, “and 
think it a little remarkable that we are to encoun 


THE PILOT. 


175 


ter armed men, while going through our own 
dwelling.” 

The soldier respectfully presented his musket, 
and replied — • 

a My orders are to guard the doors of these 
three rooms, ladies ; we have prisoners in them, 
and as for any thing else my duty will be to serve 
you all in my power.” 

“ Prisoners !” exclaimed Katherine, in affected 
surprise ; “ does Captain Borroughcliffe make St. 
Ruth’s Abbey a gaol ! Of what offences are the 
poor men guilty ?” 

u I know not, my lady ; but as they are sailors, 
I suppose they have run from his majesty’s ser- 
vice.” 

“ This is singular, truly ! and why are they not 
sent to the county prison ?” 

“ This must be examined into,” said Cecilia, 
dropping the mantle from before her face. “ As 
mistress of this house, I claim a right to know 
whom its walls contain ; you will oblige me by 
opening the doors, for I see you have the keys sus- 
pended from your belt.” 

The sentinel hesitated. He was greatly awed 
by the presence and beauty of the speakers, but 
a still voice reminded him of his duty. A lucky 
thought, however, interposed to relieve him from 
his dilemma, and at the same time to comply with 
the request, or, rather, order of the lady. As he 
handed her the keys, he said — 

“ Here they are, my lady ; my orders are to 
keep the prisoners in, not to keep any one out. 
When you are done with them, you will please to 
return them to me, if it be only to save a poor fel- 
low’s eyes, for unless the door is kept locked, I 
shall not dare to look about me for a moment.” 

Cecilia promised to return the keys, and she 


176 


THE PILOT. 


had applied one of them to a lock with a trembling 
hand, when Alice Dunscombe arrested her arm, 
and addressed the soldier. 

u Say you there are three ? are they men in 
years ?” 

“ No, my lady, all good, serviceable lads, who 
couldn’t do better than to serve his majesty, or, 
as it may prove, worse than to run from their co- 
lours.” 

u But are their years and appearance similar ? 
I ask, for I have a friend who has been guilty of 
some boyish tricks, and has tried the seas, I hear, 
among other foolish hazards.” 

“ There is no boy here. In the far room on 
the left is a smart, soldier-looking chap, of about 
thirty, who the captain thinks has carried a mus- 
ket before now ; on him I am charged to keep a 
particular eye. Next to him is as pretty a look- 
ing youth as eyes could wish to see, and it makes 
one feel mournful to think what he must come to, 
if he has really deserted his ship. In the room 
near you, is a smaller, quiet little body, who 
might make a better preacher than a sailor or a 
soldier either, he has such a gentle way with 
him.” 

Alice covered her eyes with her hand a moment, 
and then recovering herself, proceeded — 

u Gentleness may do more with the unfortunate 
men than fear ; here is a guinea ; withdraw to the 
far end of the passage, where you can watch them 
as well as here, while we enter, and endeavour 
to make them confess who and what they really 
are.” 

The soldier took the money, and after looking 
about him in a little uncertainty, he at length com- 
plied, as it was obviously true they could only 
escape by passing him, near the flight of steps* 


THE PILOT. 


177 


When he was beyond hearing, Alice Dunseombe 
turned to her companions, and a slight glow ap- 
peared in feverish spots on her cheeks, as she ad- 
dressed them. 

u It would be idle to attempt to hide from you, 
that I expect to meet the individual whose voice 
I must have heard in reality to-night, instead of 
only imaginary sounds, as I vainly, if not wickedly 
supposed. I have many reasons for changing my 
opinion, the chief of which is that he is leagued 
with the rebellious Americans in this unnatural 
war. Nay, chide me not, Miss Plowden; you will 
remember that I found my being on this island. I 
come here on no vain or weak errand, Miss How- 
ard, but to spare human blood.” She paused, as 
if struggling to speak calmly. u But no one can 
witness the interview except our God.” 

“ Go, then,” said Katherine, secretly rejoicing 
at her determination, “ while we inquire into the 
characters of the others.” 

Alice Dunseombe turned the key, and gently 
opening the door, she desired her companions to 
tap for her, as they returned, and then instantly 
disappeared in the apartment. 

Cecilia and her cousin proceeded to the next 
door, which they opened in silence, and entered 
cautiously into the room. 

Katherine Plowden had so far examined into 
the arrangements of Colonel Howard, as to know 
that at the same time he had ordered blankets to 
be provided for the prisoners, he had not thought 
it necessary to administer any further to the ac- 
commodations of men who had apparently made 
their beds and pillows of planks for the greater 
part of their lives. 

The ladies accordingly found the youthful sailor 
whom the^ sought, with his body rolled in the 


178 


THE PILOT. 


shaggy covering, extended at his length along the 
naked boards, and buried in a deep sleep. So 
timed were the steps of his visiters, and so noise- 
less was their entrance, that they approached even 
to his side, without disturbing his slumbers. The 
head of the prisoner lay rudely pillowed on a bil 
let of wood, one hand protecting his face from its 
rough surface, and the other thrust into his bosom, 
where it rested, with a relaxed grasp, on the han- 
dle of a dirk. Although he slept, and that heavily, 
yet his rest was unnatural and perturbed. His 
breathing was hard and quick, and something like 
the low, rapid murmurings of a confused utterance 
mingled with his respiration. The moment had 
now arrived when the character of Cecilia Howard 
appeared to undergo an entire change. Hitherto 
she had been led by her cousin, whose activity and 
enterprise seemed to qualify her so well for the 
office of guide ; but now she advanced before Ka- 
therine, and, extending her lamp in such a man- 
ner as to throw the light across the face of the 
sleeper, she bent to examine his countenance, with 
keen and anxious eyes. 

u Am I right ?” whispered her cousin. 

u May God, in his infinite compassion, pity and 
protect him !” murmured Cecilia, her whole frame 
involuntarily shuddering, as the conviction that*she 
beheld Griffith flashed across her mind. u Yes, 
Katherine, it is he, and presumptuous madness has 
driven him here. But time presses ; he must be 
awakened, and his escape effected at every ha- 
zard.” 

“ Nay, then, delay no longer, but rouse him 
from his sleep.” 

Griffith ! Edward Griffith !” said the soft tones 
of Cecilia, “ Griffith, awake !” 

“ Your call is useless, for they sleep nightly 


THE PILOT. 


179 


among tempests and boisterous sounds,” said Ka- 
therine ; u but I have heard it said that the small- 
est touch will generally cause one of them to stir.” 

“ Griffith !” repeated Cecilia, laying her fair 
hand timidly on his own. 

The flash of the lightning is not more nimble 
than the leap that the young man made to his feet, 
which he no sooner gained, than his dirk gleamed 
in the light of the lamps, as he brandished it fierce- 
ly with one hand, while with the other he extended 
a pistol, in a menacing attitude, towards his dis- 
turbers. 

“ Stand back !” he exclaimed ; u I am your 
prisoner only as a corpse !” 

The fierceness of his front, and the glaring eye- 
balls, that rolled wildly around him, appalled Ce- 
cilia, who shrunk back in fear, dropping her man- 
tle from her person, but still keeping her mild eyes 
fastened on his countenance with a confiding gaze, 
that contradicted her shrinking attitude, as she re- 
plied — 

u Edward, it is I ; Cecilia Howard, come to 
save you from destruction ; you are known even 
through your ingenious disguise.” 

The pistol and the dirk fell together on the 
blanket of the young sailor, whose looks instantly 
lost their disturbed expression in a glow of pleasure. 

“ Fortune at length favours me !” he cried. 
u This is kind, Cecilia ; more than I deserve, and 
much more than I expected. But you are not 
alone.” 

u ’Tis my cousin Kate; to her piercing eyes 
you owe your detection, and she has kindly con- 
sented to accompany me, that we might urge you 
to — nay, that we might, if necessary, assist you 
to fly. For J tis cruel folly, Griffith, thus to tempt 
your fate.” 


380 


THE PILOT. 


“ Have I tempted it, then, in vain ! Miss Plow 
den, to you I must appeal for an answer and a jus- 
tification.” 

Katherine looked displeased, but after a mo- 
ment’s hesitation, she replied — 

u Your servant, Mr. Griffith ; i perceive that 
the erudite Captain Barnstable has not only suc- 
ceeded in spelling through my scrawl, but he has 
also given it to all hands for perusal.” 

u Now you do both him and me injustice,” said 
Griffith ; u it surely was not treachery to show me 
a plan, in which I was to be a principal actor.” 
u Ah ! doubtless your excuses are as obedient 
to your calls, as your men,” returned the young 
lady ; <£ but how comes it that the hero of the 
Ariel sends a deputy to perform a duty that is so 
peculiarly his own ? is he wont to be second in 
rescues ?” 

“ Heaven forbid that you should think so mean- 
ly of him, for a moment ! We owe you much* 
Miss Plowden, but we may have other duties* 
You know that we serve our common country y 
and have a superior with us, whose beck is our 
law.” 

u Return, then, Mr. Griffith, while you may, 
to the service of our bleeding country,” said Ce- 
cilia, u and, after the joint efforts of her brave 
children have expelled the intruders from her 
soil, let us hope there shall come a time when 
Katherine and myself may be restored to our na- 
tive homes.” 

“ Think you, Miss Howard, to how long a pe 
riod the mighty arm of the British king may ex- 
tend that time ? We shall prevail; a nation fight- 
ing for its dearest rights must ever prevail ; but 
’tis not the work of a day, for a people, poor, scat- 
tered, and impoverished as we have been, to bea t 


THE PILOT. 


181 


down a power like that of England ; surely you 
forget that in bidding me to leave you with such 
expectations, Miss Howard, you doom me to an 
almost hopeless banishment !” 

“ We must trust to the will of God,” said Ceci- 
lia ; u if he ordain that America is to be free only 
after protracted sufferings, I can aid her but with 
my prayers ; but you have an arm and an expe- 
rience, Griffith, that might do her better service ; 
waste not your usefulness, then, in visionary 
schemes for private happiness, but seize the mo- 
ments as they offer, and return to your ship, if in- 
deed it is yet in safety, and endeavour to forget 
. this mad undertaking, and, for a time, the being 
who has led you to the adventure.” 

“ This is a reception that I had not anticipated,” 
returned Griffith ; “ for though accident, and not 
intention, has thrown me into your presence this 
evening, I did hope that when I again saw the fri 
gate, it would be in your company, Cecilia.” 
u You cannot justly reproach me, Mr. Griffith, 
with your disappointment, for I have not uttered 
or authorized a syllable that could induce you or 
any one to believe that I would consent to quit my 
uncle.” 

u Miss Howard will not think me presumptuous, 
if I remind her that there was a time when she did 
not think me unworthy to be intrusted with her 
person and happiness.” 

A rich bloom mantled on the face of Cecilia, as 
she replied — 

“ Nor do I now, Mr. Griffith ; but you do well 
to remind me of my former weakness, for the re- 
collection of its folly and imprudence only adds to 
my present strength.” 

“Nay,” interrupted her eager lover, “ if I intend- 
ed a reoroach, or harboured a boastful thought, 

16 


182 


THE PILOT. 


spurn me from you for ever, as unworthy of your 
favour.” 

“ I acquit you of both much easier than I can 
acquit myself of the charge of weakness and folly,” 
continued Cecilia ; “ but there are many things 
that have occurred, since we last met, to prevent 
a repetition of such inconsiderate rashness on my 
part. One of them is,” she added, smiling sweetly, 
a that I have numbered twelve additional months 
to my age, and a hundred to my experience. An- 
other, and perhaps a more important one, is, that 
my uncle then continued among the friends of his 
youth, surrounded by those whose blood mingles 
with his own ; but here he lives a stranger, and, 
though he finds some consolation In dwelling in a 
building wdiere his ancestors have dwelt before 
him, yet he walks as an alien through its gloomy 
passages, and would find the empty honour but a mi- 
serable compensation for the kindness and affection 
of one whom he has loved and cherished from her 
infancy.” 

“ And yet he is opposed to you in your private 
wishes, Cecilia, unless my besotted vanity has led 
me to believe what it would now be madness to learn 
w r as false ; and in your opinions of public things, 
you are quite as widely separated. I should think 
there could be but little happiness dependant on a 
connexion where there is no one feeling entertain- 
ed in common.” 

a There is, and an all-important one,” said Miss 
Howard ; “ ’tis our love. He is my kind, my af- 
fectionate, and, unless thwarted by some evil cause, 
my indulgent uncle and guardian — and I am his 
brother Harry’s child. This tie is not easily to be 
severed, Mr. Griffith, though, as I do not wish to 
see you crazed, I shall not add that your besotted 
vanity has played you false ; but, surely, Edward, 


THE PILOT. 


183 


t is possible to feel a double tie, and so to act as 
to discharge our duties to both. I never, never 
can or will consent to desert my uncle, a strangei 
as he is in the land whose rule he upholds so blind- 
ly. You know not this England, Griffith ; she re- 
ceives her children from the colonies with cold 
and haughty distrust, like a jealous step-mother, 
who is wary of the favours that she bestows on her 
fictitious offspring.” 

“ I know her in peace, and I know her in war,” 
said the young sailor, proudly, “ and can add, that 
she is a haughty friend, and a stubborn foe ; but 
she grapples now with those who ask no more of 
her than an open sea, and an enemy’s favours. But 
this determination will be melancholy tidings for 
me to convey to Barnstable.” 

u Nay,” said Cecilia, smiling, “ 1 cannot vouch 
for others, who have no uncles, and who have an 
extra quantity of ill humour and spleen against 
this country, its people, and its laws, although pro- 
foundly ignorant of them all.” 

Is Miss Howard tired of seeing me under the 
tiles of St. Ruth ?” asked Katherine. u But hark ! 
are there not footsteps approaching along the gal- 
lery ?” 

They listened, in breathless silence, and soon 
heard distinctly the approaching tread of more 
than one person. Voices were quite audible, and 
before they had time to consult on what was best 
to be done, the words of the speakers were dis- 
tinctly heard at the door of their own apartment. 

c ' Ay ! he has a military air about him, Peters, 
that will make him a prize ; come, open the door.” 
“ This is not his room, your honour,” said the 
alarmed soldier ; u he quarters in the last room in 
the gallery.” 

“ How know you that, fellow ? come, produce 


184 


THE PILOT. 


the key, and open the way for me ; I care not who 
sleeps here ; there is no saying but I may enlist 
them all three .’ 5 

A single moment of dreadful incertitude suc- 
ceeded, when the sentinel was heard saying, in 
reply to this peremptory order — 

“ I thought your honour wanted to see the one 
with the black stock, and so left the rest of the 
keys at the other end of the passage ; but — ” 

“ But nothing, you loon ; a sentinel should al- 
ways carry his keys about him, like a gaoler ; fol- 
low, then, and let me see the lad who dresses so 
well to the right.” 

As the heart of Katherine began to beat less ve- 
hemently, she said — 

“ ’Tis Borroughcliffe, and too drunk to see that 
we have left the key in the door ; but what is to 
be done ? we have but a moment for consultation.” 
“ As the day dawns,” said Cecilia, quickly, “ I 
shall send here, under the pretence of conveying 
you food, my own woman — ” 

u There is no need of risking any thing for my 
safety,” interrupted Griffith ; u I hardly think we 
shall be detained, and if we are, Barnstable is at 
hand with a force that would scatter these recruits 
to the four winds of heaven.” 

u Ah ! that would lead to bloodshed, and scenes 
of horror !” exclaimed Cecilia. 

“ Listen !” cried Katherine, “ they approach 
again !” 

A man now stopped, once more, at their door, 
which was opened softly, and the face of the senti- 
nel was thrust into the apartment. 

“ Captain Borroughcliffe is on his rounds, and 
for fifty of your guineas I would not leave you 
here another minute.” 

u But one word more,” said Cecilia. 


THE PILOT. 


185 


a Not a syllable, my lady, for my life,” return- 
ed the man ; u the lady from the next room waits 
for you, and in mercy to a poor fellow, go back 
where you came from.” 

The appeal was unanswerable, and they com- 
plied, Cecilia saying, as they left the room — * 
u I shall send you food in the morning, young 
man, and directions how to take the remedy ne- 
cessary to your safety.” 

In the passage they found Alice Dunscombe, 
with her face concealed in her mantle, and, it 
would seem, by the heavy sighs that escaped from 
her, deeply agitated by the interview which she 
had just encountered. 

But as the reader may have some curiosity to 
know what occurred to distress this unoffending 
lady so sensibly, we shall detain the narrative, to 
relate the substance of that which passed between 
her and the individual whom she sought, 

16 * 


CHAPTER XIV. 


u As when a lion in his den 
“ Hath heard the hunters’ cries, 

“ And rushes forth to meet his foes, 

“ So did the Douglass rise — ” 

Percy 


Alice Dunscombe did not find the second of 
the prisoners buried, like Griffith, in sleep, but he 
was seated on one of the old chairs that were in 
the apartment, with his back to the door, and ap- 
parently looking through the small window, on 
the dark and dreary scenery over which the tem- 
pest was yet sweeping in its fury. Her approach 
was unheeded, until the light from her lamp glared 
across his eyes, when he started Horn his musing 
posture, and advanced to meet her. He was the 
first to speak. 

“ I expected this visit,” he said, “when I found 
that you recognised my voice, and I felt a deep 
assurance in my breast, that Alice Dunscombe 
would never betray me.” 

His listener, though expecting this confirmation 
of her conjectures, was unable to make an imme- 
diate reply, but she sunk into the seat he had aban- 
doned, and waited a few moments, as if to recover 
her powers. 

“ It was, then, no mysterious warning ! no airy 
voice that mocked my ear ; but a dread reality !” 
she at length said. u Why have you thus braved 


THE PILOT. 


187 


the indignation of the laws of your country ? on 
what errand of fell mischief has your ruthless tem- 
per again urged you to embark ?” 

u This is strong and cruel language, coming 
from you to me, Alice Dunscombe,” returned the 
stranger, with cool asperity ; and the time has 
been, when I should have been greeted, after a 
shorter absence, with milder terms.” 

“ I deny it not ; I cannot, if I would, conceal 
my infirmity from myself or you ; I hardly wish 
it to continue unknown to the world. If I have 
once esteemed you — if I have plighted to you my 
troth, and, in my confiding folly, forgot my higher 
duties, God has amply punished me for the weak- 
ness, in your own evil deeds.” 

u Nay, let not our meeting be embittered with 
useless and provoking recriminations,” said the 
other ; a for we have much to say before you com- 
municate the errand of mercy on which you have 
come hither. I know you too well, Alice, not to 
see that you perceive the peril in which I am 
placed, and am willing to venture something for my 
safety. Your mother — does she yet live ?” 

u She is gone in quest of my blessed father,” 
said Alice, covering her pale face with her hands ; 
u they have left me alone, truly, for he who was 
to have been all to me, was first false to his faith, 
and has since become unworthy of my confidence.” 
The stranger became singularly agitated, his 
usually quiet eye glancing hastily from the floor 
to the countenance of his companion, as he paced 
the room with hurried steps ; at length he re- 
plied — - 

u There is much, perhaps, to be said in expla- 
nation, that you do not know. I left the country, 
because I found in it nothing but oppression and 
injustice, and I could not invite you to become the 


188 


TIIE PILOT. 


bride of a wanderer, without either name or for- 
tune. But I have now the opportunity of proving 
my truth. You say you are alone ; be so no 
longer, and try how far you were mistaken in be- 
lieving that I should one day supply the place to 
you of both father and mother.” 

There is something soothing to a female ear in 
the offer of even protracted justice, and Alice 
spoke with less of acrimony in her tones, during 
the remainder of their conference, if not with less 
of severity in her language. 

“ You talk not like a man whose very life hangs 
but on a thread that the next minute may snap 
asunder. Whither would you lead me ? is it to 
the tower at London ?” 

“ Think not I have weakly exposed my person 
without a sufficient protection,” returned the stran- 
ger, with cool indifference ; “ there are many gal- 
lant men who only wait my signal, to crush the 
paltry force of this officer like a worm beneath my 
feet.” 

u Then has the conjecture of Colonel Howard 
been true ! and the manner in which the enemy’s 
vessels have passed the shoals is no longer a mys- 
tery ! you have been their pilot !” 

“ I have.” 

u What ! would ye pervert the knowledge 
gained in the spring-time of your guileless youth 
to the foul purpose of bringing desolation to the 
doors of those you once knew and respected ! 
John ! John ! is the image of the maiden whom 
in her morning of beauty and simplicity I believe 
you did love, so faintly impressed, that it cannot 
soften your hard heart to the misery of those among 
whom she has been born, and who compose her 
little world ?” 

u Not a hair of theirs shall be touched, not a 


THE PILOT. 


189 


thatch shall blaze, nor shall a sleepless night befall 
the vilest among them — and all for your sake, 
Alice ! England comes to this contest with a 
seared conscience, and bloody hands, but all shall 
be forgotten for the present, when both opportu- 
nity and power offer to make her feel our ven- 
geance, even in her vitals. I came on no such er- 
rand.” 

u What, then, has led you blindly into snares, 
where all your boasted aid would avail you no- 
thing ; for, should I call aloud your name, even 
here, in the dark and dreary passages of this ob - 
scure edifice, the cry would echo through the 
country ere the morning, and a whole people 
would be found in arms to punish your audacity.” 

u My name has been sounded, and that in no 
gentle strains,” returned the pilot, scornfully, 
u when a whole people have quailed at it ; the 
craven, cowardly wretches, flying before the man 
they had wronged. I have lived to bear the ban- 
ners of the new republic, proudly, in sight of the 
three kingdoms, when practised skill and equal 
arms have in vain struggled to pluck it down. 
Ay ! Alice, the echoes of my guns are still roar- 
ing among your eastern hills, and would render 
my name more appalling than inviting to your 
sleeping yeomen.” 

“ Boast not of the momentary success that the 
arm of God has yielded to your unhallowed ef- 
forts,” said Alice ; u for a day of severe and heavy 
retribution must follow ; nor flatter yourself w r ith 
the idle hope, that your name, terrible as ye have 
rendered it to the virtuous, is sufficient, of itself, 
to drive the thoughts of home, and country, and 
kin, from all who hear it. — Nay, I know not that 
even now, in listening to you, I am not forgetting 
a solemn duty, which would teach me to proclaim 


190 


THE PILOT. 


your presence, that the land might know that her 
unnatural son is a dangerous burthen in her bo- 
som.” 

The Pilot turned quickly in his short walk ; 
and, after reading her countenance, with the ex- 
pression of one who felt his security, he said, in 
gentler tones — 

u Would that be Alice Dunscombe ! would that 
be like the mild, generous girl whom I knew in 
my youth ? But I repeat, the threat would fail 
to intimidate, even if you were capable of exe- 
cuting it. I have said that it is only to make the 
signal, to draw around me a force sufficient to 
scatter these dogs of soldiers to the four winds of 
Heaven.” 

a Have you calculated your power justly, 
John ?” said Alice, unconsciously betraying her 
deep interest in his safety. “ Have you reckoned 
the probability of Mr. Dillon’s arriving, accompa- 
nied by an armed band of horsemen, with the 
morning’s sun ? for it’s no secret in the Abbey, 
that he is gone in quest of such assistance.” 

“ Dillon !” exclaimed the Pilot, starting ; u who 
is he ! and on what suspicion does he seek this 
addition to your guard ?” 

“ Nay, John, look not at me, as if you would 
know 7 the secrets of my heart. It was not I who 
prompted him to such a step ; you cannot for a 
moment think that I would betray you ! But too 
surely he has gone, and, as the night wears rapidly 
aw r ay, you should be using the hour of grace to 
effect your own security.” 

“ Fear not for me, Alice,” returned the Pilot 
proudly, while a faint smile struggled around his 
compressed lip : “ and yet I like not this move- 
ment, either. How call you his name ? Dillon ! 
is he a minion of king George ?” 


THIS PILOT. 


191 


“ He is, John, what you are not, a loyal subject 
of his sovereign lord the King, and, though a na- 
tive of the revolted colonies, he has preserved his 
virtue uncontaminated amid the corruptions and 
temptations of the times.” 

“ An American ! and disloyal to the liberties of 
the human race ! By Heaven, he had better not 
cross me ; for if my arm reach him, it shall hold 
him forth as a spectacle of treason to the world.” 

“ And has not the world enough of such a spec- 
tacle in yourself? Are ye not, even now, breath- 
ing your native air, though lurking through the 
mists of the island, with desperate intent against 
its peace and happiness ?” 

A dark and fierce expression of angry resent- 
ment flashed from the eyes of the Pilot, and even 
his iron frame seemed to shake with emotion, as 
he answered — 

“ Call you his dastardly and selfish treason, 
aiming, as it does, to aggrandize a few, at the ex- 
pense of millions, a parallel case to the generous 
ardour that impels a man to fight in the defence of 
sacred liberty ? I might tell you that I am armed 
in the common cause of my fellow subjects and 
countrymen ; that though an ocean divided us in 
distance, yet are we a people of the same blood, 
and children of the same parents, and that the hand 
which oppresses one, inflicts an injury on the other. 
But I disdain all such narrow apologies. I was 
born on this orb, and. I claim to be a citizen of it. 
A man with a soul, not to be limited by the arbi- 
trary boundaries of tyrants and hirelings, but one 
who has the right as well as the inclination to grap- 
ple with oppression, in whose name soever it is 
exercised, or in whatever hollow and specious 
shape it founds its claim to abuse our race.” 

“ Ah ! John, John, though this may sound like 


192 


THE PILOT. 


reason to i oellious ears, to mine it seemeth only 
as the ravings of insanity. It is in vain ye build 
up your new and disorganizing systems of rule, or 
rather misrule, which are opposed to all that the 
world has eve* yet done, or will ever see done in 
peace and happiness. What avail your subtleties 
and false reasonings against the heart ? It is the 
heart which tells us where our home is, and how 
to love it.” 

a You talk like a weak and prejudiced woman, 
Alice,” said the Pilot, more composedly ; “ and 
one who would shackle nations with the ties that 
bind the young and feeble of your own sex to- 
gether.” 

a And by what holier or better bond can they 
be united ?” said Alice. u Are not the relations 
of domestic life of God’s establishing, and have 
not nations grown from families, as branches spread 
from the stem, till the tree overshadows the land ! 
’Tis an ancient and sacred tie that binds man to his 
nation, neither can it be severed without infamy.” 

The Pilot smiled disdainfully, and throw ing open 
the rough exterior of his dress, he drew forth, in 
succession, several articles, while a glowdng pride 
lighted his countenance, as he offered them singly 
to her notice. 

u See, Alice !” he said, u call you this infamy ! 
This broad sheet of parchment is stamped with a 
seal of no mean importance, and it bears the royal 
name of the princely Louis also ! And view this 
cross ! decorated as it is with jewels, the gift of 
the same illustrious hand ; it is not apt to be given 
to the children of infamy, neither is it wise or de- 
corous to stigmatize a man who has not been 
thought unworthy to consort with princes and no- 
bles by the opprobrious name of the c Scotch Pi- 
rate.’ ” 


THE PILOT. 


193 


“And have ye not earned the tP'e, John, by 
ruthless deeds and bitter animosity? could kiss 
the baubles ye show me, if they were a thousand 
times less splendid, had they been laid upon your 
breast by the hands of your lawful prince ; but now 
they appear to my eyes only as indelible blots upon 
your attainted name. As for your associates, I 
have heard of them! and it seemeth that a queen 
might be better employed than encouraging by 
her smiles the disloyal subjects of other monarchs, 
though even her enemies. God only knows when 
his pleasure may suffer a spirit of disaffection to 
rise up among the people of her own nation, and 
then the thought that she has encouraged rebel- 
lion may prove both bitter and unwelcome.” 

“ That the royal and lovely Antoinette has 
deigned to repay my services wjth a small portion 
of her gracious approbation, is not among the least 
of my boasts,” returned the Pilot, in affected hu- 
mility, while secret pride was manifested even in 
his lofty attitude. “ But venture not a syllable in 
her dispraise, for you know not whom you censure 
She is less distinguished by her illustrious birth 
and elevated station, than by her virtues and love- 
liness. She lives the first of her sex in Europe — 
the daughter of an emperor, the consort of the 
most powerful king, and the smiling and beloved 
patroness of a nation who worship at her feet. Her 
life is above all reproach, as it is above all earthly 
punishment, were she so lost as to merit it ; and 
it has been the will of Providence to place her far 
beyond the reach of all human misfortunes.” 

“ Has it placed her above human errors, John ! 
punishment is the natural and inevitable conse- 
quence of sin, and unless she can say more than 
has ever fallen to the lot of humanity to say truly, 

17 


194 


THE PILOT. 


she may yet be made to feel the chastening arm 
of One, to whose eyes all her pageantry and pow- 
er are as vacant as the air she breathes — so insig- 
nificant must it seem when compared to his own 
just rule ! But if you vaunt that you have been 
permitted to kiss the hem of the robes of the 
French queen, and have been the companion of 
high-born and flaunting ladies, clad in their richest, 
array, can ye yet say to yourself, that amid them 
all ye have found one whose tongue has been bold 
to tell you the truth, or whose heart has sincerely 
joined in her false professions !” 

“ Certainly none have met me with the reproach- 
es that I have this night received from Alice Duns- 
combe, after a separation of six long years,” re- 
turned the Pilot. 

“ If I have spoken to you the words of holy 
truth, John, let them not be the less welcome, be- 
cause they are strangers to your ears. Oh ! think 
that she who has thus dared to use the language 
of reproach to one whose name is terrible to all 
who live on the border of this island, is led to the 
rash act by no other motive than interest in your 
eternal welfare.” 

u Alice ! Alice, you madden me with these fool- 
ish speeches ! Am I a monster to frighten unpro- 
tected women and helpless children ? What mean 
these epithets, as coupled with my fame ? Have 
you too lent a credulous ear to the vile calumnies 
with which the policy of your rulers have ever at- 
tempted to destroy the fair fame of those who op- 
pose them, and those chiefly who oppose them 
with success. My name may be terrible to the 
officers of the royal fleet, but where and bow have 
I earned a claim to be considered formidable to the 
helpless and unoffending ?” 


THE PILOT. 


195 


Alice Dunscombe cast a furtive and timid glance 
at the Pilot, which spoke even stronger than her 
words, as she replied — 

“ 1 know not that all which is said of you and 
your deeds is true. I have often prayed, in bit- 
terness and sorrow, that a tenth part of that which 
is laid to your charge may not be heaped on your 
devoted head at the great and final account. But, 
John, I have known you long and well, and Heaven 
forbid, that on this solemn occasion, which may be 
the last of our earthly interviews, I should be 
found wanting in Christian duty, through a wo- 
man’s weakness. I have often thought, when I 
have heard the gall of bitter reproach and enve- 
nomed language hurled against your name, that 
they who spoke so rashly, little understood the 
man they vituperated. But, though ye are at 
timBS, and I may say almost always, as mild and 
even as the smoothest sea over which ye have 
ever sailed, yet God has mingled in your nature a 
fearful mixture of fierce passions, which, roused, 
are more like the southern waters when troubled 
wfith the tornado. It is difficult for me to say how 
far this evil spirit may lead a man, who has been 
goaded by fancied wrongs, to forget his country 
and home, and who is suddenly clothed with pow- 
er to show his resentments.” 

The Pilot listened with rooted attention, and 
his piercing eye seemed to reach the seat of those 
thoughts which she but half expressed ; still he 
retained the entire command of himself, and an- 
swered, more in sorrow than in anger — 

“ If any thing could convert me to your own 
peaceful and unresisting opinions, Alice, it w r ould 
be the reflections that offer themselves at this con- 
viction, that even you have been led by the base 
tongues of my dastardly enemies, to doubt my 


196 


THE PILOT. 


honour and conduct. What is fame, when a man 
can be thus traduced to his nearest friends! But 
no more of these childish reflections ! They are 
unworthy of myself, my office, and the sacred cause 
in which I have enlisted !” 

“ Nay, John, shake them not off,” said Alice, 
unconsciously laying her hand on his arm ; “ they 
are as the dew to the parched herbage, and may 
freshen the feelings of your youth, and soften the 
heart that has grown hard, if hard it be, more by 
unnatural indulgence, than its own base inclina- 
tions.” 

u Alice Dunscombe,” said the Pilot, approach- 
ing her with solemn earnestness, “ I have learnt 
much this night, though I came not in quest of such 
knowledge. You have taught me how powerful is 
the breath of the slanderer, and how frail is the 
tenure by which we hold our good names. Full 
twenty times have I met the hirelings of your 
prince in open battle, fighting ever manfully under 
that flag which was first raised to the breeze by 
my own hands, and which, I thank my God, I have 
never yet seen lowered an inch ; but with no one 
act of cowardice or private wrong in all that ser- 
vice, can I reproach myself ; and yet, how am I 
rewarded ! The tongue of the vile calumniator is 
keener than the sword of the warrior, and leaves 
a more indelible scar !” 

u Never have ye uttered a truer sentiment, 
John, and God send that ye may encourage such 
thoughts to your own eternal advantage,” said 
Alice, with engaging interest. u You say that you 
have risked your precious life in twenty combats, 
and observe how little of Heaven’s favour is be- 
stowed on the abettors of rebellion ! They tell 
me that the world has never witnessed a more des- 
perate and bloody struggle, than this last, for which 


THE PILOT. 


197 


your name has been made to sound to the further- 
most ends of the isle.” 

u ’Twill be known wherever naval combats aie 
spoken of !” interrupted the Pilot, the melancholy 
which had begun to lower in his countenance 
giving place to a look of proud exultation. 

u And yet its fancied glory cannot shield your 
name from wrong, nor are the rewards of the vic- 
tor equal, in a temporal sense, to those which the 
vanquished has received. Know you that our 
gracious monarch, deeming your adversary’s cause 
so sacred, has extended to him his royal favour ?” 

u Ay ! he has dubbed him knight !” exclaimed 
the Pilot, with a scornful and bitter laugh : “ let 
him be again furnished with a ship, and me with 
another opportunity, and I promise him an earl- 
dom, if being again vanquished can constitute a 
claim !” 

“ Speak not so rashly, nor vaunt yourself of 
possessing a protecting power, that may desert you, 
John, when you most need it, and least expect the 
change,” returned his companion ; “ the battle is 
not always to the strong, neither is the race to the 
swift.” 

“ Forget you, my good Alice, that your words 
will admit of a double meaning ? Has the battle 
been to the strong ! Though you say not well in 
denying the race to the swift. Yes, yes, often and 
again have the dastards escaped me by their pru- 
dent speed Alice Dunscombe, you know not a 
thousandth part of the torture that I have been 
made to feel, by high born miscreants, who envy 
the merit they cannot equal, and detract from the 
glory of deeds that they dare not attempt to emu- 
late. How have I been cast upon the ocean like 
some unworthy vessel that is commissioned to do 
a desperate deed, and then to bury itself in the 


198 


THE PILOT. 


ruin it has made ! How many malignant hearts 
have triumphed, as they beheld my canvass open, 
thinking that it was spread to hasten me to a gib- 
bet, or to a tomb in the bosom of the ocean ; but I 
have disappointed them !” 

The eyes of the Pilot no longer gazed with their 
piercing and settled meaning, but they flashed with 
a fierce and wild pleasure, as he continued, in a 
louder voice — 

“ Yes, bitterly have I disappointed them ! Oh ! 
the triumph over my fallen enemies has been tame 
to this heartfelt exultation which places me im- 
measurably above those false and craven hypo- 
crites ! I begged, I implored the Frenchmen, for 
the meanest of their craft, which possessed but the 
common qualities of a ship of war : I urged the 
policy and necessity of giving me such a force, for 
even then I promised to be found in harm’s way ; 
but envy and jealousy robbed me of my just dues, 
and of more than half my glory. They call me 
pirate ! If I have a claim to the name, it was fur- 
nished more by the paltry outfit of my friends than 
by any act towards my enemies !” 

u And do not these recollections prompt you to 
return to your allegiance to your prince and native 
land, John ?” said Alice, in a subdued voice. 

u Away with the silly thought !” interrupted 
the Pilot, recalled to himself as if by a sudden con- 
viction of the weakness he had betrayed ; u it is 
ever thus where men are made conspicuous by 
their works — but to your visit — I have the power 
to rescue myself and companions from this paltry 
confinement, and yet I would not have it done with 
violence for your sake. Bring you the means of 
doing it in quiet ?” 

“ When the morning arrives, you will be all 
conducted to the apartment where we first met. — 


THE PILOT. 


199 


This will be done at the solicitation of Miss How- 
ard, under the plea of compassion and justice, and 
with the professed object of inquiring into your 
situations. Her request will not be refused, and 
while your guard is stationed at the door, you will 
be shown by another entrance through the private 
apartments of the wing, to a window whence you 
can easily leap to the ground, where a thicket is 
at hand ; afterwards we shall trust your safety to 
your own discretion.” 

“ And if this Dillon, of whom you have spoken, 
should suspect the truth, how will you answer to 
the law for aiding our escape ?” 

“ I believe he little dreams who is among the 
prisoners,” said Alice, musing, “ though he may 
have detected the character of one of your com- 
panions. But it is private feeling, rather than 
public spirit, that urges him on.” 

“ I have suspected something of this,” returned 
the Pilot, with a smile, that crossed those features 
where ungovernable passions had so lately been 
exhibited, with an effect that might be likened to 
the last glimmering of an expiring conflagration, 
serving to render the surrounding ruin more ob- 
vious. “ This young Griffith has led me from my 
direct path, with his idle imprudence, and it is 
right that his mistress should incur some risk. But 
with you, Alice, the case is different ; here you are 
only a guest, and it is unnecessary that you should 
be known in the unfortunate affair. Should my 
name get abroad, this recreant American, this Col. 
Howard, will find all the favour he has purchased 
by advocating the cause of tyranny necessary to 
protect him from the displeasure of the minis- 
try.” 

° I fear to trust so delicate a measure to the 


200 


THE PILOT. 


young discretion of my amiable friend , 55 said Alice, 
shaking her head. 

“ Remember, that she has her attachment to 
plead in her excuse ; but dare you say to the 
world that you still remember, with gentle feel- 
ings, the man whom you stigmatize with such op- 
probrious epithets ? 55 

A slight colour gleamed over the pallid brow of 
Alice Dunscombe, as she uttered, in a voice that 
was barely audible — 

u There is no longer a reason why the w T orld 
should know of such a weakness, though it did 
exist . 55 And, as the faint glow passed away, leav- 
ing her face pale, nearly as the hue of death, her 
eyes kindled with unusual fire, and she added, 
u They can but take my life, John, and that I am 
ready to lay down in your service ! 55 

66 Alice ! 55 exclaimed the softened Pilot, u my 
kind, my gentle Alice ! — 55 

The knock of the sentinel at the door was heard 
at this critical moment. Without waiting for a re- 
ply to his summons, the man entered the apart- 
ment, and, in hurried language, declared the ur- 
gent necessity that existed for the lady to retire. 
A few brief remonstrances were uttered by both 
Alice and the Pilot, who wished to comprehend 
more clearly each other’s intentions relative to the 
intended escape ; but the fear of personal punish- 
ment rendered the soldier obdurate, and a dread 
of exposure at length induced the lady to comply. 
She arose, and was leaving the apartment with 
lingering steps, when the Pilot, touching her hand, 
whispered to her impressively — 

“ Alice, we meet again before I leave this island 
for ever . 55 

u We meet in the morning, John , 55 she return- 


I’HE PILOT. 


201 


ed, in the same tone of voice, u in the apartments 
of Miss Howard.” 

He dropped her hand, and she glided from the 
room, when the impatient sentinel closed the door, 
and silently turned the key on his prisoner. The 
Pilot remained in a listening attitude, until the 
light footsteps of the retiring pair were no longer 
audible, when he paced his confined apartment 
with perturbed steps, occasionally pausing to look 
out at the driving clouds, and the groaning oaks 
that were trembling and rocking their broad arms 
in the fitful gusts of the gale. In a few minutes 
the tempest in his own passions had gradually sub- 
sided to the desperate and still calmness that made 
him the man he was ; when he again seated him- 
self where Alice had found him, and began to muse 
on the events of the times, from which, the transi- 
tion to projecting schemes of daring enterprise and 
mighty consequences, was but the usual employ- 
ment of his active and restless mind. 


CHAPTER XV. 


“ Sir And. I have no exquisite reason for’t, but I’ve reason good enough.* 

Twelfth JV* ight . 


The countenance of Captain Borroughcliffe, 
when the sentinel admitted him to the apartment 
that he had selected, was in that state of doubtfin 
illumination, when looks of peculiar cunning blend 
so nicely with the stare of vacancy, that the hu- 
man face is rendered not unlike an April day, now 
smiling and inviting, and at the next moment cloud- 
ed and dreary. It was quite apparent that the 
soldier had an object for his unexpected visit, by 
the importance of his air, and the solemnity of the 
manner with which he entered on the business. 
He waved his hand for the sentinel to retire, with 
lofty dignity, and continued balancing his body, 
during the closing of the door, and while a sound 
continued audible to his confused faculties, with 
his eyes fixed in the direction of the noise, with 
that certain sort of wise look, that in many men 
supplies the place of something better. When the 
captain felt himself secure from interruption, he 
moved round with quick military precision, in or- 
der to face the man of whom he was in quest. 
Griffith had been sleeping, though uneasily, and 
with watchfulness ; and the Pilot had been calmly 


THE PILOT. 


203 


awaiting the visit which it seemed he had antici- 
pated ; but their associate, who was no other than 
Captain Manual, of the marines, was discovered in 
a very different condition from either. Though 
the weather was cool, and the night tempestuous, 
he had thrown aside his pee* jacket, with most of 
his disguise, and was sitting ruefully on his blan- 
ket, wiping, with one hand, the large drops of 
sweat from his forehead, and occasionally grasping 
his throat with the other, with a kind of convulsed, 
mechanical movement. He stared wildly at his 
visiter, though his entrance produced no other al- 
teration in these pursu ts, than a more diligent ap- 
plication of his handkerchief, and a more frequent 
grasping of his naked neck, as if he were willing 
to ascertain, by actual experiment, what degree of 
pressure the part was able to sustain, without ex- 
ceeding a given quantity of inconvenience. 

“ Comrade, I greet ye !” said Borroughcliffe, 
staggering to the side of his prisoner, where he 
seated himself with an entire absence of ceremo- 
ny ; u Comrade, I greet ye ! Is tire kingdom in 
danger, that gentlemen traverse the island in the 
uniform of the regiment of incognitus, incognitii, 
’torum — dammee, how I forget my Latin ! Say, 
my fine fellow, are you one of these ’torums ?” 

Manual breathed a little hard, which, consider- 
ing the manner he had been using his throat, was 
a thing to be expected ; but, swallowing his appre- 
hensions, he answered with more spirit than his 
situation rendered prudent, or the occasion de- 
manded. 

“ Say what you will of me, and treat me as 
you please, I defy any man to call me tory with 
truth.” 

a y ou are no ’forum ! Well, then, the war-office 
nas got up a new dress ! Your regiment must have 


204 


THE PILOT. 


earned their facings in storming some water bat- 
tery, or perhaps it has done duty as marines. Am 
1 right ?” 

“ I’ll not deny it,” said Manual, more stoutly ; 
u I have served as a marine for two years, though 
taken from the line of — ” 

“ The army,” said Borroughcliffe, interrupting 
a most damning confession of which u state line” 
the other had belonged to. u I kept a dog-watch 
myself, once, on board the fleet of my Lord Howe ; 
but it is a service that I do not envy any man. 
Our afternoon parades w T ere dreadfully unsteady, 
for it’s a time, you know 7 , when a man wants solid 
ground to stand on. However, I purchased my 
company with some prize money that fell in my 
way, and I always remember the marine service 
with gratitude. But this is dry work. I have put 
a bottle of sparkling Madeira in my pocket, with 
a couple of glasses, which we will discuss, w T hile 
we talk over more important matters. Thrust 
your hand into my right pocket ; I have been used 
to dress to the front so long, that it comes mighty 
awkward to me to make this backward motion, as 
if it were into a cartridge box.” 

Manual, w ho had been at a loss how to construe 
the manner of the other, perceived at once a good 
deal of plain English in this request, and he dis- 
lodged one of Col. Howard’s dusty bottles, w 7 ith a 
dexterity that denoted the earnestness of his pur- 
pose. Borroughcliffe had made a suitable provi- 
sion of glasses, and extracting the cork in a certain 
scientific manner, he tendered to his companion a 
bumper of the liquor, before another syllable was 
uttered by either of the expectants. The gentle- 
men concluded their draughts w 7 ith a couple of 
smacks, that sounded not unlike the pistols of two 
practised duellists, though certainly a much less 


THE PILOT. 


205 


alarming noise ; when the entertainer renewed the 
discourse. 

“ I like one of your musty looking bottles, that 
is covered with dust and cobwebs, with a good 
southern tan on it,” he said. u Such liquor does 
not abide in the stomach, but it gets into the heart 
at once, and becomes blood in the beating of a 
pulse. But how soon I knew you ! That sort of 
knowledge is the freemasonry of our craft. I knew 
you to be the man you are, the moment I laid eyes 
on you in what we call our guard-room ; but I 
thought I would humour the old soldier who lives 
here, by letting him have the formula of an exa- 
mination, as a sort of deference to his age and for- 
mer rank. But I knew you the instant I saw you. 
I have seen you before !” 

The theory of Borrougholiffe, in relation to the 
incorporation of wine with the blood, might have 
been true in the case of the marine, whose whole 
frame appeared to undergo a kind of magical change 
by the experiment of drinking, which, the reader 
will understand, was diligently persevered in, while 
a drop remained in the bottle. The perspiration 
no longer rolled from his brow, neither did his 
throat manifest that uneasiness which had rendered 
such constant external applications necessary ; but 
he settled down into an air of cool, but curious in- 
terest, which, in some measure, was the necessary 
concomitant of his situation. 

“ We may have met before, as I have been 
much in service, and yet I know not where you 
could have seen me,” said Manual. u Were you 
ever a prisoner of war ?” 

“ Hum ! not exactly such an unfortunate devil ; 
but a sort of conventional non-combatant. I shared 
the hardships, the glory, the equivocal victories, 
( where we killed and drove countless numbers of 

18 


206 


THE PILOT. 


rebels — who were not,) and, wo is me! the ca- 
pitulation of Burgoyne. But let that pass — which 
was more than the Yankees would allow us to 
do. You know not where I could have seen 
you ? I have seen you on parade, in the field, in 
battle and out of battle, in camp, in barracks, in 
short, every where but in a drawing-room. No, 
no ; I have never seen you before this night in a 
drawing-room !” 

Manual stared in a good deal of wonder, and 
some uneasiness, at these confident assertions, which 
promised to put his life in no little jeopardy ; and 
it is to be supposed that the peculiar sensation about 
the throat was revived, as he made a heavy draught 
before he said — 

u You will swear to this — Can you call me by 
name ?” 

“ I will swear to it in any court in Christen- 
dom,” said the dogmatical soldier ; “ and your name 
is — is — Fugleman !” 

u If it is, I’ll be damn’d !” exclaimed the other 
with exulting precipitation. 

“ Swear not !” said BorroughclifFe, with a so- 
lemn air ; a for what mattereth an empty name ! 
Call thyself by what appellation thou wilt, I know 
thee. Soldier is written on thy martial front ; 
thy knee bendeth not ; nay, I even doubt if the re- 
bellious member bow in prayer.” — 

u Come, sir,” interrupted Manual, a little stern- 
ly ; u no more of this trifling, but declare your will 
at once. Rebellious member, indeed ! These fel- 
lows will call the skies of America rebellious hea- 
vens shortly !” 

“ I like thy spirit, lad,” returned the undis- 
turbed Borroughcliffe ; u it sits as gracefully on a 
soldier, as his sash and gorget ; but it is lost on an 
old campaigner. I marvel, however, that thou 


THE PILOT. 


207 


takest such umbrage at my slight attack on thy 
orthodoxy. I fear the fortress must be weak, 
where the outworks are defended with such a 
waste of unnecessary courage.” 

u I know not why or wherefore you have paid 
me this visit, Captain Borroughcliffe,” said Ma- 
nual, with a laudable discretion, which prompted 
him to reconnoitre the other’s views a little, be- 
fore he laid himself more open ; u if captain be 
your rank, and Borroughcliffe be your name. But 
this I do know, that if it be only to mock me in 
my present situation, it is neither soldier-like nor 
manly ; and it is what, in other circumstances, 
might be attended by some hazard.” 

u Hum !” said the other, with his immovable 
coolness ; u I see you set the wine down as no- 
thing, though the king drinks not as good ; for the 
plain reason that the sun of England cannot find 
its way through the walls of Windsor Castle, as 
easily as the sun of Carolina can warm a garret 
covered with cedar shingles. But I like your 
spirit more and more. So draw yourself up in 
battle array, and let us have another charge at this 
black bottle, when I shall lay before your military 
eyes a plan of the whole campaign.” 

Manual first bestowed an inquiring glance at his 
companion, when, discovering no other expression 
than foolish cunning, which was fast yielding be- 
fore the encroaching footsteps of stupid inebriety, 
^e quietly placed himself in the desired position. 
The wine was drunk, when Borroughcliffe pro- 
ceeded to open his communications more unre- 
servedly. 

“ You are a soldier, and I am a soldier. That 
you are a soldier, my orderly could tell ; for the 
dog has both seen a campaign, and smelt villanous 
salt-petre, when compounded according to a wick- 


208 


THE PILOT. 


ed invention ; but it required the officer to detect 
the officer. Privates do not wear such linen as 
this, which seemeth to me an unreasonably cool 
attire for the season ; nor velvet stocks, with sil- 
ver buckles ; nor is there often the odorous flavour 
of sweet-scented pomatum to be discovered around 
their greasy locks. In short, thou art both soldier 
and officer.” 

u I confess it,” said Manual ; “ I hold the rank 
of captain, and shall expect the treatment of one.” 

u I think I have furnished you with wine fit for 
a general,” returned Borroughclifle ; “ but have 
your own way. Now, it would be apparent to 
men, whose faculties had not been rendered clear 
by such cordials as this dwelling aboundeth with, 
that when you officers journey through the island, 
clad in the uniform incognitorum, which, in your 
case, means, the marine corps, that something is in 
the wind of more than usual moment. Soldiers 
owe their allegiance to their prince, and next to 
him, to war, women, and wine. Of war, there is 
none in the realm ; of women, plenty ; but wine, 
I regret to say, that is, good wine, grows both 
scarce and dear. Do I speak to the purpose, com- 
rade ?” 

u Proceed,” said Manual, whose eyes were not 
less attentive than his ears, in a hope to discover 
whether his true character were understood. 

“ En avant ! in plain Eneflish, forward march i 
Well, then, the difficulty lies between women and 
wine ; which, when the former are pretty, and the 
latter rich, is a very agreeable sort of an alterna- 
tive. That it is not wine of which you are in 
quest, I must believe, my comrade captain, or you 
would not go on the adventure in such shabby at- 
tire. You will excuse me, but who would think 
of putting any thing better than their Port before a 


THE PILOT. 


209 


man «n a pair of tarred trowsers ? JNo ! no ! Hol- 
land*, green-and-yellow Hollands, is a potation 
good enough to set before one of the present bear- 
ing.” 

u And yet I have met with him who has treated 
me to the choicest of the south-side Madeira !” 
u Know you the very side from which the pre- 
cious fluid comes ! That looks more in favour of 
the wine. But, after all, woman, dear, capricious 
woman, who one moment fancies she sees a hero 
in regimentals, and the next a saint in a cassock ; 
and who always sees something admirable in a 
suitor, whether he be clad in tow or velvet — wo- 
man is at the bottom of this mysterious masquera- 
ding. Am I right, comrade ?” 

By this time, Manual had discovered that he 
was safe, ana he returned to the conversation with 
a revival of all his ready wits, which had been 
strangely paralyzed by his previous disorder in the 
region of the throat. First bestowing a wicked 
wink on his companion, and a look that would have 
outdone the wisest aspect of Solomon, he re- 
plied — 

“ Ah ! woman has much to answer for !” 

“ I knew it,” exclaimed Borroughcliffe ; “ and 
this confession only confirms me in the good opinion 
I have always entertained of myself. If his ma- 
jesty has any particular wish to close this Ameri- 
can business, let him have a certain convention 
burnt, and a nameless person promoted, and we 
shall see ! But, answer as you love truth ; is it a 
business of holy matrimony, or a mere dalliance 
with the sweets of Cupid ?” 

u Of honest wedlock,” said Manual, with an 
air as serious as if Hymen already held him in his 
fetters. 

u ’Tis honest ! Is there money ?” 

18 * 


210 


THE PILOT. 


cc Is there money ?” repeated Manual, with a 
sort of contemptuous echo. u Would a soldier 
part with his liberty, but with his life, unless the 
chains were made of gold ?” 

u That’s the true military doctrine !” cried 
the other ; u faith, you have some discretion in 
your amphibious corps, I find ! But why this 
disguise, are the c seniors grave,’ as well as c po- 
tent and reverend ?’ Why this disguise, I again 
ask ?” 

“ Why this disguise !” repeated Manual, cool- 
ly ; u Is there any such thing as love in your re- 
giment without disguise ? With us it is a regular 
symptom of the disease.” 

u A most just and discreet description of the 
passion, my amphibious comrade !” said the English 
officer ; “ and yet the symptoms in your case are 
attended by some very malignant tokens. Does 
your mistress love tar ?” 

“ No ; but she loveth me ; and, of course, what- 
ever attire I choose to appear in.” 

u Still discreet and sagacious ! and yet only a 
most palpable feint to avoid my direct attack. You 
have heard of such a place as Gretna Green, a lit- 
tle to the north of this, I dare say, my aquatic 
comrade. Am I right ?” 

u Gretna Green !” said Manual, a little embar- 
rassed by his ignorance ; u some parade ground, I 
suppose ?” 

“ Ay, for those who suffer under the fire of 
Master Cupid. A parade ground ! well, there is 
some artful simplicity in that ! But all will not do 
w T ith an old campaigner. It is a difficult thing to 
impose on an old soldier, my water battery. Now 
listen and answer ; and you shall see what it is to 
possess a discernment — therefore deny nothing 
You are in love ?” 


THE PILOT. 


211 


“ I deny nothing,” said Manual, comprehending 
at once that this was his safest course. 

“ Your mistress is willing, and the money is 
ready, but the old people say halt !” 

“ I am still mute.” 

“ ’Tis prudent. You say march — Gretna Green 
is the object ; and your flight is to be by water ?” 
“ Unless I can make my escape by water, I 
shall never make it,” said Manual, with ano- 
ther sympathetic movement with his hand to his 
throat. 

u Keep mute ; you need tell me nothing. I 
can see into a mystery that is as deep as a well, 
to-night. Your companions are hirelings ; per- 
haps your shipmates ; or men to pilot you on this 
expedition ?” 

“ One is my shipmate, and the other is our pi- 
lot,” said Manual, with more truth than usual. 

u You are well provided. One thing more, and 
I shall become mute in my turn. Does she whom 
you seek lie in this house ?” 

u She does not ; she lies but a short distance 
from this place ; and I should be a happy fellow, 
could I but once more put foot — ” 

“ Eyes on her. Now listen, and you shall have 
your wish. You possess the ability to march yet, 
which, considering the lateness of the hour, is no 
trifling privilege ; open that window — is it possi- 
ble to descend from it ?” 

Manual eagerly complied, but he turned from 
the place in disappointment. 

“ It would be certain death to attempt the leap. 
The devil only could escape from it.” 

u So I should think,” returned Borroughcliffe 
dryly. “ You must be content to pass for that 
respectable gentleman for the rest of your days, 
in St. Ruth’s Abbey. For through that identical 


212 


THFi PILOT. 


hole must you wing your flight on the pinions of 
love.” 

“ But how ! The thing is impossible.” 
u In imagination only. There is some stir ; a 
good deal of foolish apprehension ; and a great ex- 
cess of idle curiosity, among certain of the tenants 
of this house on your account. They fear the re- 
bels, who, we all know, have not soldiers enough 
to do their work neatly at home, and who of course 
would never think of sending any here. You wish 
to be snug — I wish to serve a brother in distress. 
Through that window you must be supposed to 
% — no matter how ; while by following me you 
can pass the sentinel, and retire peaceably, like any 
other mortal, on your own two stout legs.” 

This was a result that exceeded all that Manual 
had anticipated from their amicable but droll dia- 
logue ; and the hint was hardly given, before he 
threw on the garments that agitation had before 
rendered such encumbrances, and in less time than 
we have taken to relate it, the marine was com- 
pletely equipped for his departure. In the mean 
time, Captain Borroughcliffe raised himself to an 
extremely erect posture, which he maintained, 
with the inflexibility of a rigid martinet. When 
he found himself established on his feet, the soldier 
intimated to his prisoner that he was ready to pro- 
ceed. The door was instantly opened by Manual, 
and together they entered the gallery. 

u Who comes there ?” cried the sentinel, with 
a vigilance and vigour that he intended should 
compensate for his previous neglect of duty. 

“ Walk straight, that he may see you,” said 
Borroughcliffe, with much philosophy. 

“ Who goes there ?” repeated the sentinel, 
throwing his musket to a poise, with a rattling 
sound that echoed along the naked walls. 


THE PILOT. 


213 


a Walk crooked,” added Borroughcliffe, u that 
if he fire he may miss.” 

“ We shall be shot at, with this folly, 5 ' mut- 
tered Manual. “We are friends, and your officer 
is one of us.” 

“ Stand, friends — advance officer and give the 
countersign,” cried the sentinel. 

u That is much easier said than done,” returned 
his captain ; u forward, Mr. Amphibious, you can 
walk like a postman — move to the front, and pro- 
claim the magical word, c loyalty ; 5 ’tis a standing 
countersign, ready furnished to my hands by mine 
host, the colonel ; your road is then clear before 
you — but hark — ” 

Manual made an eager step forward, when, re- 
collecting himself, he turned, and added — 

“ My assistants, the seamen ! I can do nothing 
without them . 55 

“ Lo ! the keys are in the doors, ready for my 
admission,” said the Englishman ; u turn them and 
bring out your forces . 55 

Quick as thought, Manual was in the room of 
Griffith, to whom he briefly communicated the 
situation of things, when he re-appeared in the 
passage, and then proceeded on a similar errand to 
the room of the Pilot. 

“ Follow, and behave as usual,” he whispered; 
“ say not a word, but trust all to me . 55 

The Pilot arose, and obeyed these instructions 
without asking a question, with the most admira- 
ble coolness. 

u I am now ready to proceed,” said Manual, 
when they had joined Borroughcliffe. 

During the short time occupied in these arrange- 
ments, the sentinel and his captain had stood look- 
ing at each other, with great military exactitude. 
The former, ambitious of manifesting his watchful- 


214 


THE PILOT. 


ness; the latter awaiting the return of the marine- 
The captain now beckoned to Manual to advance 
and give the countersign. 

“ Loyalty,” whispered Manual, wdien he ap- 
proached the sentinel, But the soldier had been 
allowed time to reflect ; and as he well understood 
the situation of his officer, he hesitated to allow 
the prisoner to pass. After a moment’s pause, he 
said — 

u Advance, friends.” At this summons, the 
whole party moved to the point of his bayonet ; 
when the man continued, u The prisoners have the 
countersign, Captain Borroughclifle, but I dare not 
let them pass.” 

u Why not ?” asked the captain ; “ am I not 
here, sirrah ; do you not know me ?” 

u Yes, sir, I know your honour, and respect 
your honour ; but I was posted here by my ser- 
geant, and ordered not to let these men pass out 
on any account.” 

u That’s what I call good discipline,” said 
Borroughclifle, with an exulting laugh ; u I knew 
the lad would not mind me any more than that he 
would obey the orders of that lamp. Here are 
no slaves of the lamp, my amphibious comrade ; 
drill ye your marines in this consummate style to 
niceties ?” 

u What means this trifling ?” said the Pilot, 
sternly. 

u Ah ! I thought I should turn the laugh on 
you,” cried Manual, affecting to join in the mirth ; 
u we know all these things well, and we practise 
them in our corps ; but though the sentinel can- 
not know you, the sergeant will ; so let him bo 
called, and orders be given through him to the man 
on post, that we may pass out.” 

u Your throat grows uneasy, I see,” said Boi 


THE PILOT. 


215 


roughcliffe ; “ you crave another bottle of the 
generous fluid. Well, it shall be done. Sentinel, 
you can throw up yon window, and give a call to 
the sergeant.” 

u The outcry will ruin us,” said the Pilot, in a 
whisper to Griffith. 

“ Follow me,” said the young sailor. The sen- 
tinel was turning to execute the orders of his cap- 
tain, as Griffith spoke ; when springing forward, 
in an instant he wrenched the musket from his 
hands ; a heavy blow with its butt felled the as- 
tonished soldier to the floor ; then, poising his 
weapon, Griffith exclaimed — 

“ Forward ! we can clear our own way now !” 
u On !” said the Pilot, leaping lightly over the 
prostrate soldier, a dagger gleaming in one hand, 
and a pistol presented in the other. 

Manual was by his side in an instant, armed in a 
similar manner ; and the three rushed together 
from the building, without meeting any one to op- 
pose their flight. 

Borroughclifle was utterly unable to follow ; and 
so astounded was he by this sudden violence, that 
several minutes passed before he was restored to 
the use of his speech, a faculty which seldom de- 
serted him. The man had recovered his senses 
and his feet, however ; and the two stood gazing 
at each other in mute condolence. At length the 
sentinel broke the silence — 

“ Shall I give the alarm, your honour ?” 
u I rather think not, Peters. I wonder if there 
be any such thing as gratitude or good breeding in 
the marine corps !” 

“ I hope your honour will remember that I did 
my duty, and that I was disarmed while executing 
your orders.” 

cc I can remember nothing about it, Peters, ex- 


216 


THE PILOT. 


cept that it is rascally treatment, and such as I shall 
yet make that amphibious, aquatic gentleman an- 
swer for. But, lock the door — look as if nothing 
had happened, and — ” 

u Ah ! your honour, that is not so easily done 
as your honour may please to think. I have not 
any doubt but there is the print of the breech of 
a musket stamped on my back and shoulders, as 
plainly to be seen as that light.” 

“ Then look as you please ; but hold your peace, 
sirrah. Here is a crown to buy a plaster. I heard 
the dog throw away your musket on the stairs — 
go seek it, and return to your post ; and when you 
are relieved, act as if nothing had happened. I 
take the responsibility on myself.” 

The man obeyed, and when he was once more 
armed, Borroughcliffe, a good deal sobered by the 
surprise, made the best of his way to his own 
apartment, muttering threats and execrations against 
the “ corps of marines, and the whole race,” as he 
called them, “ of aquatic amphibii.” 


CHAPTER XVI. 


* Away ! away I the covey’g fled the cover 
Pnt forth the dogg, and let the falcon fly — 

I’ll spend some leisure in the keen pursuitj 
Nor longer waste my hours in sluggish quiet.” 


The soldier passed the remainder of the nigh, 
in the heavy sleep of a bacchanalian, and awoke 
late on the following morning, only when aroused 
by the entrance of his servant. When the cus- 
tomary summons had induced the captain to un- 
close his eyelids, he arose in his bed, and after 
performing the usual operation of a diligent fric- 
tion on his organs of vision, he turned sternly to 
his man, and remarked, with an ill-humour that 
seemed to implicate the innocent servant in the 
fault which his master condemned — - 

“ I thought, sirrah, that I ordered Sergeant 
Drill not to let a drum-stick touch a sheep-skin 
while we quartered in the dwelling of this hospi- 
table old colonel ! Does the fellow despise my 
commands ; or does he think the roll of a drum, 
echoing through the crooked passages of St. Ruth, 
a melody that is fit to disturb the slumbers of its 
inmates !” 

“ I believe, sir,” returned the man, u it was the 
wish of Col. Howard himself, that on this occasion 
the sergeant should turn out the guard by the roll 
of the drum.” 


19 


218 


THE PILOT. 


“ The devil it was ! — I see the old fellow loves 
to tickle the drum of his own ear now and then, 
with familiar sounds ; but have you had a muster 
of the cattle from the farm-yard too, as well as a 
parade of the guard ? I hear the trampling of feet, 
as if the old Abbey were a second ark, and all 
the beasts of the field were coming aboard of us !” 
u ’Tis nothing but the party of dragoons from 

, who are wheeling into the court-yard, sir, 

where the colonel has gone out to receive them.” 
u Court-yard ! light dragoons !” repeated Bor- 
roughcliffe, in amazement ; u and has it come to 
this, that twenty stout fellows of the — th are not 
enough to guard such a rookery as this old Abbey, 
against the ghosts and north-east storms, but we 
must have horse to reinforce us. Hum ! I sup- 
pose some of these booted gentlemen have heard 
of this South- Carolina Madeira.” 

u Oh, no, «ir !” cried his man, u it is only the 
party that Mr. Dillon went to seek last evening, 
after you saw fit, sir, to put the three pirates in 
irons.” 

“ Pirates in irons !” said Borroughcliffe, again 
passing his hands over his eyes, though in a more 
reflecting manner than before ; “ ha ! oh ! I re- 
member to have put three suspicious looking ras- 
cals in the black-hole, or some such place ; but 
what can Mr. Dillon, or the light dragoons, have 
to do with these fellows ?” 

u That we do not know, sir ; but it is said be- 
low, sir, as some suspicions had fallen on their be- 
ing conspirators and rebels from the colonies, and 
that they were great officers and tories in disguise , 
some said that one was General Washington, and 
others, that it was only three members of the 
Yankee parliament, come over to get our good old 
English fashions to set themselves up with.” 


THE PILOT. 


219 


u Washington ! Members of Congress ! Go- 
go, simpleton, and learn how many these troopers 
muster, and what halt they make ; but stay, place 
my clothes near me. Now, do as I bid you ; and 
if the dragoon officer inquire for me, make my re- 
spects, and tell him I shall be with him soon. Go, 
fellow ; go.” 

When the man left the room, the captain, while 
he proceeded with the business of the toilet, oc- 
casionally gave utterance to the thoughts that 
crowded on his recollection, after the manner of a 
soliloquy. 

“ Ay ! my commission to a half-pay ensigncy, 
that some of these lazy fellows, who must have a 
four-legged beast to carry them to the wars, have 
heard of the c south side.’ South side ! I believe 
I must put an advertisement in the London Ga- 
zette, calling that amphibious soldier to an ac- 
count. If he be a true man, he will not hide himself 
under his incognito, but will give me a meeting. If 
that should fail, damme, I’ll ride across to Yar- 
mouth, and call out the first of the mongrel breed 
that I fall in with. ’Sdeath ! was ever such an in- 
sult practised on a gentleman, and a soldier, be- 
fore ! Would that I only knew his name ! Why, 
if the tale should get abroad, I shall be the stand- 
ing joke of the mess-table, until some greater fool 
than myself can be found. It would cost me at 
least six duels to get rid of it. No, no ; not a trig- 
ger will 1 pull in my own regiment about the silly 
affair ; but I’ll have a crack at some marine in very 
revenge ; for that is no more than reasonable. 
That Peters ! if the scoundrel should dare whisper 
any thing of the manner in which he was stamped 
with the breech of the musket ! I can’t flog him 
for it, but if I don’t make it up to him, the' first 


220 


THE PILOT. 


time he gives me a chance, I am ignorant of the 
true art of balancing regimental accounts.” 

By the time the recruiting officer had concluded 
this soliloquy, which affords a very fair exposition 
of the current of his thoughts, he was prepared to 
meet the newcomers, and he accordingly descend- 
ed to the court-yard, as in duty bound, to receive 
them in his proper person. Borroughcliffe en- 
countered his host, in earnest conversation with a 
young man in a cavalry uniform, in the principal 
entrance of the Abbey, and was greeted by the 
former with — 

“ A good morning to you, my worthy guard 
and protector ! here is rare news for your loyal 
ears. It seems that our prisoners are enemies to 
the king, in disguise ; and Cornet Fitzgerald — 

Captain Borroughcliffe, of the th, permit me 

to make you acquainted with Mr. Fitzgerald, of the 
— th Light Dragoons.” While the soldiers ex- 

changed their salutations, the old man continued — 
u The cornet has been kind enough to lead down a 
detachment of his troop, to escort the rogues up to 
London, or some other place, where they will find 
enough good and loyal officers to form a court mar- 
tial, that can authorize their execution as spies. 
Christopher Dillon, my worthy kinsman, Kit, saw 
into their real characters, at a glance, while you 
and I, like two unsuspecting boys, thought the ras- 
cals would have made fit men to serve the king. 
But Kit has an eye and a head that few enjoy like 
him, and I would that he might receive his dues at 
the English bar.” 

u It is to be desired, sir,” said Borroughcliffe, 
with a grave aspect, that was produced chiefly by 
his effort to give effect to his sarcasm, but a little, 
also, by the recollection of the occurrences that 
were yet to be explained ; “ but what reason has 


THE PILOT. 


221 


Mr. Christopher Dillon to believe that the three 
seamen are more or less than they seem ?” 

u I know not what ; but a good and sufficient 
reason, I will venture my life,” cried the colonel; 
“ Kit is a lad for reasons, which you know is the 
foundation of his profession, and knows how to de- 
liver them manfully in the proper place ; but you 
know, gentlemen, that the members of the bar 
cannot assume the open and bold front that be- 
comes a soldier, without often endangering the 
cause in which they are concerned. No, no ; trust 
me, Kit has his reasons, and in good time will he 
deliver them.” 

“ I hope, then,” said the captain, carelessly, 
u that it may be found that we have had a proper 
watch on our charge, Col. Howard; I think you 
told me the windows were too high for an escape 
in that direction, for I had no sentinel outside of 
the building.” 

u Fear nothing, my worthy friend,” cried his 
host ; “ unless your men have slept, instead of 
watching, we have them safe ; but, as it will be 
necessary to convey them away before any of the 
civil authority can lay hands on them, let us pro- 
ceed to the rear*, and unkennel the dogs. A party 

of the horse might proceed with them to , 

while we are breaking our fasts. It would be no 
wise thing to let the civilians deal with them, for 
they seldom have a true idea of the nature of the 
crime.” 

“ Pardon me, sir,” said the young officer of 
horse ; “ I was led to believe, by Mr. Dillon, that 
we might meet with a party of the enemy in some 
little force, and that I should find a pleasanter duty 
than that of a constable ; besides, sir, the laws of 
the realm guaranty to the subject a trial by his 
peers, and it is more than I dare do to carry the 

19 * 


222 


THE PILOT. 


men to the barracks, without first taking them be- 
fore a magistrate.” 

“ Ay ! you speak of loyal and dutiful subjects,” 
said the colonel ; “ and, as respects themq doubt- 
less, you are right ; but such privileges are with- 
held from enemies and traitors.” 

u It must be first proved that they are such, be- 
fore they can receive the treatment or the punish- 
ment that they merit,” returned the young man, a 
little positively, who felt the more confidence, be- 
cause he had only left the Temple the year be- 
fore. “ If I take charge of the men at all, it will 
be only to transfer them safely to the civil autho * 
rity.” 

“ Let us go and see the prisoners,” cried Bor 
roughcliffe, with a view to terminate a discussion 
that was likely to wax warm, and which he knew 
to be useless ; “ perhaps they may quietly enrol 
themselves under the banners of our sovereign, 
when all other interference, save that of whole- 
some discipline, will become unnecessary.” 

u Nay, if they are of a rank in life to render 
such a step probable,” returned the cornet, “ I am 
well content that the matter should be thus set- 
tled. I trust, however, that Captain Borrough- 

cliffe will consider that the th light dragoons 

has some merit in this affair, and that w T e are far 
short of our numbers in the second squadron.” 

“ We shall not be difficult at a compromise,” 
returned the captain ; u there is one a-piece for 
us, and a toss of a guinea shall determine who has 
the third man. Sergeant ! follow, to deliver over 
your prisoners, and relieve your sentry.” 

As they proceeded, in compliance with this ar- 
rangement, to the building in the rear, Colonel 
Howard, who made one of the party, observed — 
u 1 dispute not the penetration of Captain Bor- 


THE PILOT. 


223 


roughcliffe, but I understand Mr. Christopher Dil- 
lon that there is reason to believe one of these 
men, at least, to be of a class altogether above that 
of a common soldier, in which case your plans may 
fall to the ground.” 

u And who does he deem the gentleman to be ?” 
asked Borroughcliffe— u A Bourbon in disguise, 
or a secret representative of the rebel congress ?” 

“ Nay, nay ; he said nothing more ; my kins- 
man Kit keeps a close mouth, wdienever Dame 
Justice is about to balance her scales. There are 
men who may be said to have been bom to be sol- 
diers ; of which number I should call the Earl 
Cornwallis, who makes such head against the re- 
bels in the two Carolinas ; others seem to be in- 
tended by nature for divines, and saints on earth, 
such as their Graces of York and Canterbury; 
while another class appear as if it were impossible 
for them to behold things, unless with discriminat- 
ing, impartial, and disinterested eyes ; to w r hich, I 
should say, belong my Lord Chief Justice Mans- 
field, and my kinsman, Mr. Christopher Dillon. I 
trust, gentlemen, that when the royal arms have 
crushed this rebellion, that his majesty’s ministers 
will see the propriety of extending the dignity of 
the peerage to the colonies, as a means of reward 
to the loyal, and a measure of policy, to prevent 
future disaffection ; in which case, I hope to see 
my kinsman decorated with the ermine of justice, 
bordering the mantle of a peer.” 

u Your expectations, my excellent sir, are right 
reasonable, as I doubt not your kinsman will be- 
come, at some future day, that which he is not at 
present, unhappily for his deserts, right honoura 
ble,” said Borroughcliffe. u But be of good heart, 
sir ; from what I have seen of his merits, I doubt 
not that the law will yet have its revenge in due 


224 


THE PILOT, 


season, and that we shall be properly edified and 
instructed how to attain elevation in life, by the 
future exaltation of Mr. Christopher Dillon ; though 
by what title he is to be then known, I am at a loss 
to say.” 

Colonel Howard was too much occupied with 
his own ex parte views of the war and things in 
general, to observe the shrewd looks that were 
exchanged between the soldiers ; but he answered 
with perfect simplicity — 

u I have reflected much on that point, and have 
come to the opinion, that as he has a small estate 
on that river, he should cause his first barony to 
be known by the title of c Pedee.’ ” 

u Barony !” echoed BorroughelifFe ; u I trust 
the new nobles of a new world will disdain the 
old worn out distinctions of a hackneyed universe 
— eschew all baronies, mine host, and cast earl- 
doms and dukedoms to the shades. The immor- 
tal Locke has unlocked his fertile mind to furnish 
you with appellations suited to the originality of 
your condition, and the nature of your country* 
Ah ! here comes the Cacique of Pedee, in his pro- 
per person !” 

As Borroughcliffe spoke, they were ascending 
the flight of stone steps which led to the upper 
apartments, where the prisoners were still sup- 
posed to be confined ; and, at the same moment, 
the sullen, gloomy features of Dillon were seen as 
he advanced along the lower passage, with an ex- 
pression of malicious exultation hovering above his 
dark brow, that denoted his secret satisfaction. 
As the hours had passed away, the period had 
come round when the man who had been present 
at the escape of Griffith and his friends, was again 
posted to perform the duty of sentinel. As this 
soldier well knew the situation of his trust, he was 


THE PILOT. 


225 


very coolly adjusted, with his back against the 
wall, endeavouring to compensate himself for his 
disturbed slumbers during the night, when the 
sounds of the approaching footsteps warned him to 
assume the appearance of watchfulness. 

44 How now, fellow !” cried Borroughcliffe ; 
' c what have you to say to your charge ?” 

44 I believe the men sleep, your honour ; for 1 
have heard no noises from the rooms since I re- 
lieved the last sentinel.” 

44 The lads are weary, and are right to catch 
what sleep they can in their comfortable quarters,” 
returned the captain. 44 Stand to your arms, sir- 
rah ! and throw back your shoulders ; and do not 
move like a crab, or a train-band corporal ; do you 
not see an officer of horse coming up ? Would 
you disgrace your regiment !” 

44 Ah ! your honour, heaven only knows whe- 
ther I shall ever get my shoulders even again.” 

44 Buy another plaster,” said Borroughcliffe, 
slipping a shilling into his hand ; 44 observe, you 
know nothing but your duty.” 

44 Which is, your honour — ” 

44 To mind me and be silent. But here comes 
the sergeant with his guard, he will relieve you.” 
The rest of the party had stopped at the other 
end of the gallery, to allow the few files of sol- 
diers, who were led by the orderly, to pass them, 
when they all moved toward the prisons in a body. 
T he sentinel was relieved in due military style ; 
when Dillon placed his hand on one of the doors, 
and said, with a malicious sneer, 

44 Open here first, Mr. Sergeant ; this cage holds 
the man we most want.” 

44 Softly, softly, my Lord Chief Justice, and 
most puissant Cacique,” said the captain ; 44 the 
hour has not yet come to empannel a jury of fat 


22G 


THE PILOT. 


yeomen, and no man must interfere with my boys 
but myself.” 

u The rebuke is harsh, I must observe, Captain 
Borroughcliffe,” said the colonel ; “ but I pardon 
it because it is military. No, no, Kit ; these nice 
points must be left to martial usages. Be not im- 
patient, my cousin ; I doubt not the hour will come, 
when you shall hold the scales of justice, and sa- 
tisfy your loyal longings on many a traitor. Zounds ! 
I could almost turn executioner myself in such a 
cause !” 

u I can curb my impatience, sir,” returned Dil- 
lon, with hypocritical meekness, and great self- 
command, though his eyes were gleaming with 
savage exultation. u I beg pardon of Captain 
Borroughcliffe, if, in my desire to render the civil 
authority superior to the military, I have tres- 
passed on your customs.” 

u You see, Borroughcliffe !” exclaimed the co- 
lonel, exultingly, “ the lad is ruled by an instinct 
in all matters of law and justice. I hold it to be 
impossible that a man thus endowed can ever be- 
come a disloyal subject. But our breakfast waits, 
and Mr. Fitzgerald has breathed his horse this 
cool morning ; let us proceed at once to the exa- 
mination.” 

Borroughcliffe motioned to the sergeant to open 
the door, when the whole party entered the va- 
cant room. 

“ Your prisoner has escaped !” cried the cor- 
net, after a single moment employed in making 
sure of the fact. 

“ Never ! it must not, shall not be,” cried Dil- 
lon, quivering with rage, as he glanced his eyes 
furiously around the apartment ; a here has been 
treachery ! and foul treason to the king !” 

u By whom committed, Mr. Christopher Dil 


THE PILOT. 


227 


Ion ?” said Borroughcliffe, knitting his brow, and 
speaking in a suppressed tone : “ dare you, or any, 

man living, charge treason to the th !” 

A very different feeling from rage appeared now 
to increase the shivering propensities of the future 
judge, who at once perceived it was necessary to 
moderate his passion, and he returned, as it were 
by magic, to his former plausible and insinuating 
manner, as he replied- — 

“ Colonel Howard will understand the cause of 
my warm feelings, when I tell him that this very 
room contained, last night, that disgrace to his 
name and country, as well as traitor to his king, 
Edward Griffith, of the rebel navy.” 

a What !” exclaimed the colonel, starting, “ has 
that recreant youth dared to pollute the threshold 
of St. Ruth with his footstep ! but you dream, 
Kit ; there would be too much hardihood in the act.” 
u It appears not, sir,” returned the other ; u for 
though in this very apartment he most certainly 
was, he is here no longer. And yet from this 
window, though open, escape would seem to be 
impossible, even with much assistance.” 

a If I thought that the contumelious boy had 
dared to be guilty of such an act of gross impu- 
dence,” cried the colonel, u I should be tempted 
to resume my arms, in my old age, to punish his 
effrontery. What ! it is not enough that he en- 
tered my dwelling in the colony, availing himself 
of the distraction of the times, with an intent to 
rob me of my choicest jewel, ay ! gentlemen, even 
of my brother Harry’s daughter — but that he must 
also invade this hallowed island, with a like pur- 
pose, thus thrusting his treason, as it were, into 
the presence of his abused prince ! No, no, Kit, 
thy loyalty misleads thee ; he has never dared to 
do the deed !” 


228 


THE PILOT. 


u Listen, sir, and you shall be convinced,” re- 
turned the pliant Christopher. “ I do not wonder 
at your unbelief ; but as good testimony is the 
soul of justice, I cannot resist its influence. You 
know, that two vessels, corresponding in appear- 
ance to the two rebel cruisers that annoyed us so 
much in the Carolinas,have been seen on the coast 
for several days, which induced us to beg the pro- 
tection of Captain Borroughclifle. Three men are 
found, the day succeeding that on which we hear 
that these vessels came within the shoals, stealing 
through the grounds of St. Ruth, in sailors 5 attire. 
They are arrested, and in the voice of one of them, 
sir, I immediately detected that of the traitor Grif- 
fith. He was disguised, it is true, and cunningly 
so ; but when a man has devoted his whole life to 
the business of investigating truth,” he added, with 
an air of much modesty, u it is difficult to palm 
any disguise on his senses.” 

Col. Howard was strongly impressed with the 
probability of these conjectures, and the closing 
appeal confirmed him immediately in his kinsman’s 
opinion, while Borroughclifle listened, with deep 
interest, to the speakers, and more than once bit 
his lip with vexation. When Dillon concluded the 
soldier exclaimed — 

“ I’ll swear there was a man among them, who 
has been used to the drill.” 

“ Nothing more probable, my worthy friend,” 
said Dillon ; u for as the landing was never made 
without some evil purpose, rely on it, he came not 
unguarded or unprotected. I dare say, the three 
were all officers, and one of them might have been 
of the marines. That they had assistance is cer- 
tain, and it was because I felt assured they had a 
force secreted at hand, that I went in quest of the 
reinforcement.” 


THE PILOT. 


229 


There was so much plausibility, and, in fact, so 
much truth in all this, that conviction was unwil- 
lingly admitted by Borroughclifle, who walked 
aside, a moment, to conceal the confusion which, 
in spite of his ordinary inflexibility of countenance, 
he felt was manifesting itself in his rubric visage, 
while he muttered — 

u The amphibious dog ! he was a soldier, but a 
traitor and an enemy No doubt he will have a 
marvellous satisfaction in delighting the rebellious 
ears of his messmates, by rehearsing the manner 
in which he poured cold water down the back of 

one Borroughclifle, of the th, who was amusing 

him, at the same time, by pouring good, rich, south- 
side Madeira down his own rebellious throat. I 
have a good mind to exchange my scarlet coat for 
a blue jacket, on purpose to meet the sly rascal on 
the other element, where we can discuss the mat- 
ter over again. Well, sergeant, do you find the 
other two ?” 

“ They are gone together, your honour,” re- 
turned the orderly, who just then re-entered from 
an examination of the other apartments ; u and 
unless the evil one helped them off, it’s a myste- 
rious business to me.” 

“ Colonel Howard,” said Borroughclifle, grave- 
ly, u your precious south-side cordial must be ba- 
nished from the board, regularly with the cloth, un- 
til I have my revenge ; for satisfaction of this in- 
sult is mine to claim, and I seek it this instant. 
Go, Drill ; detail a guard for the protection of the 
house, and feed the rest of your command, then 
beat the general, and we will take the field. Ay ! 
my worthy veteran host, for the first time since the 
days of the unlucky Charles Stuart, there shall be 
a campaign in the heart of England.” 

u Ah ! rebellion, rebellion ! accursed, unnatural* 

20 


230 


THE PILOT 


unholy rebellion, caused the calamity then and 
now !” exclaimed the colonel. 

“ Had I not better take a hasty refreshment for 
my men and their horses ?” asked the cornet ; 
u and then make a sweep for a few miles along the 
coast ? It may be my luck to encounter the fugi- 
tives, or some part of their force.” 

“ You have anticipated my very thoughts,” re- 
turned Borroughcliffe. u The Cacique of Pedee 
may close the gates of St. Ruth, and, by barring 
the windows, and arming the servants, he can 
make a very good defence against an attack, should 
they think proper to assail our fortress ; after he 
has repulsed them, leave it to me to cut off their 
retreat.” 

Dillon but little relished this proposal ; for he 
thought an attempt to storm the Abbey would be 
the most probable course adopted by Griffith, in 
order to rescue his mistress ; and the jurist had 
none of the spirit of a soldier in his composition. 
In truth, it was this deficiency that had induced 
him to depart in person, the preceding night, in 
quest of the reinforcement, instead of sending an 
express on the errand. But the necessity of de- 
vising an excuse for a change in this dangerous 
arrangement, was obviated by Colonel Howard, 
who exclaimed, as soon as Borroughcliffe con- 
cluded his plan — 

u To me, Captain. Borroughcliffe, belongs, of 
right, the duty of defending St. Ruth, and it shall 
be no boy’s play to force my works ; but Kit would 
rather try his chance in the open field, I know. 
Come, let us to our breakfast, and then he shall 
mount, and act as a guide to the horse, along the 
difficult passes of the seashore.” 

u To breakfast then let it be,” cried the captain ; 
a I distrust not my new commander of the fortress , 


THE PILOT, 


281 


and in the field Cacique for ever ! We follow 
you, my worthy host.” 

This arrangement was hastily executed in all its 
parts. The gentlemen swallowed their meal in 
the manner of men wffio ate only to sustain nature, 
and as a duty ; after which the whole house be- 
came a scene of bustling activity. The troops 
were mustered and paraded ; Borroughcliffe, set- 
ting apart a guard for the building, placed himself 
at the head of the remainder of his little party, and 
they moved out of the court-yard in open order, 
and at quick time. Dillon joyfully beheld himself 
mounted on one of the best of Colonel Howard’s 
hunters, where he knew that he had the control, 
in a great measure, of his own destiny ; his bosom 
throbbing with a powerful desire to destroy Grif- 
fith, while he entertained a lively wish to effect 
his object without incurring any personal risk. At 
his side was the young cornet, seated with prac- 
tised grace in his saddle, who, after giving time for 
the party of foot soldiers to clear the premises, 
glanced his eye along the few files he led, and 
then gave the word to move. The little division 
of horse wheeled briskly into open column, and, 
the officer touching his cap to Colonel Howard, 
they dashed through the gateway together, and 
pursued their route towards the seaside, at a hand 
gallop. 

The veteran lingered a few minutes, while the 
clattering of hoofs was to be heard, or the gleam 
of arms was visible, to hear and gaze at sounds and 
sights that he still loved ; after which he proceed 
ed, in person, and not without a secret enjoyment 
of the excitement, to barricade the doors and win- 
dows, with an undaunted determination of making, 
in case of need, a stout defence. 

St. Ruth lay but a short two miles from the 


232 


THE PILOT. 


ocean ; to which numerous roads led, through the 
grounds of the Abbey, which extended to the 
shore. Along one of these paths Dillon con- 
ducted his party, until, after a few minutes of hard 
riding, they approached the cliffs, when, post- 
ing his troopers under cover of a little copse, 
the cornet rode in advance, with his guide, to 
the verge of the perpendicular rocks, whose 
bases were washed by the foam that still whiten- 
ed the waters from the surges of the subsiding 
sea. 

The gale had broken, before the escape of the 
prisoners, and as the power of the eastern tem- 
pest had gradually diminished, a light current 
from the south, that blew directly along the land, 
prevailed ; and, though the ocean still rolled in 
fearful billows, their surfaces were smooth, and 
they were becoming, at each moment, less preci- 
pitous, and more regular. The eyes of the horse ■ 
men were cast in vain over the immense expanse 
of water, that was glistening brightly under the 
rays of the sun, which had just risen from its bo- 
som, in quest of some object, or distant sail, that 
might confirm their suspicions, or relieve their 
doubts. But every thing of that description ap- 
peared to have avoided the dangerous navigation, 
during the violence of the late tempest, and Dil- 
lon was withdrawing his eyes in disappointment, 
from the vacant view, when, as they fell towards 
the shore, he beheld that which caused him to ex- 
claim — 

u There they go ! and, by heaven, they will 
escape !” 

The cornet looked in the direction of the 
other’s finger, when he beheld, at a short distance 
from the land, and apparently immediately under 
his feet, a little boat that looked like a dark shell 


THE PILOT. 


233 


upon the water, rising and sinking amid the waves, 
as if the men it obviously contained were resting 
on their oars in idle expectation. 

u ’Tis they !” continued Dillon ; “ or, what is 
more probable, it is their boat waiting to convey 
them to their vessel ; no common business would 
induce seamen to lie in this careless manner, with- 
in such a narrow distance of the surf.” 

“ And what is to be done ? They cannot be 
made to feel horse where they are ; nor would 
the muskets of the foot be of any use. A light 
three pounder would do its work handsomely on 
them !” 

The strong desire which Dillon entertained to 
intercept, or rather to destroy the party, rendered 
him prompt at expedients. After a moment of 
musing, he replied — 

u The runaways must yet be on the land ; and 
by scouring the coast, and posting men at proper 
intervals, their retreat can easily be prevented ; in 

the mean time I will ride under the spur to 

bay, where one of his majesty’s cutters now lies 
at anchor — It is but half an hour of hard riding, 
and I can be on board of her. The wind blows 
directly in her favour, and if we can once bring 
her down behind that headland, we shall infallibly 
cut off or sink these midnight depredators.” 

“ Off, then !” cried the cornet, whose young 
blood was boiling for a skirmish ; “ you will at 
least drive them to the shore, where I can deal 
with them.” 

The words were hardly uttered, before Dillon, 
after galloping furiously along the cliffs, and turn- 
ing short into a thick wood, that lay in his route, 
was out of sight. The loyalty of this gentle 
man was altogether of a calculating nature, and 
was intimately connected with what he considered 

20 * 


234 


THE PILOT 


his fealty to himself. He believed that the pos- 
session of Miss Howard’s person and fortune 
were advantages that would much more than 
counterbalance any elevation that he was likely 
to obtain by the revolution of affairs in his native 
colony. He considered Griffith as the only na- 
tural obstacle to his success, and he urged his 
horse forward with a desperate determination to 
work the ruin of the young sailor, before another 
sun had set. When a man labours in an evil 
cause, with such feelings, and with such incen- 
tives, he seldom slights or neglects his work ; and 
Mr. Dillon, accordingly, w r as on board the Alacri- 
ty, several minutes short of the time in wdiich he 
had promised to perform the distance. 

The plain old seaman, who commanded the 
cutter, listened to his tale with cautious ears ; and 
examined into the state of the weather, and other 
matters connected with his duty, with the slow T and 
deliberate decision of one who had never done 
much to acquire a confidence in himself, and who 
had been but niggardly rewarded for the little he 
had actually performed. 

As Dillon was urgent, however, and the day 
seemed propitious, he at length decided to act as 
he was desired, and the cutter was accordingly 
gotten under way. 

A crew of something less than fifty men moved 
with no little of their commander’s deliberation ; 
but as the little vessel rounded the point behind 
which she had been anchored, her guns w T ere 
cleared, and the usual preparations w r ere com- 
pleted for immediate and actual service. 

Dillon, sorely against his will, was compelled 
to continue on board, in order to point out the 
place where the unsuspecting boatmen were ex- 
pected to be entrapped. Every thing being 


THE PILOT. 


235 


ready, when they had gained a safe distance from 
the land, the Alacrity was kept away before the 
wind, and glided along the shore, with a sw T ift and 
easy progress, that promised a speedy execution 
of the business in which her commander has em- 
barked. 


CHAPTER XVH. 


Pol. Very like a whale. 

Shakspcare. 


Notwithstanding the object of their expedi- 
tion was of a public nature, the feelings which 
had induced both Griffith and Barnstable to ac- 
company the Pilot with so much willingness, it 
will easily be seen, were entirely personal. The 
short intercourse that he had maintained with his 
associates enabled the mysterious leader of their 
party to understand the characters of his two prin- 
cipal officers so thoroughly, as to induce him, when 
he landed, with the purpose of reconnoitring to 
ascertain whether the objects of his pursuit still 
held their determination to assemble at the ap- 
pointed hour, to choose Griffith and Manual as his 
only associates, leaving Barnstable in command of 
his own vessel, to await their return, and to cover 
their retreat. A good deal of argument, and some 
little of the authority of his superior officer, was 
necessary to make Barnstable quietly acquiesce in 
this arrangement ; but as his good sense told him 
that nothing should be unnecessarily hazarded, 
until the moment to strike the final blow had ar- 
rived, he became gradually more resigned, taking 
care, however, to caution Griffith to reconnoitre 


THE PILOT. 


237 


the Abbey while his companion was reconnoi- 
tring house. It was the strong desire of Grif- 

fith to comply with this injunction, which carried 
them a little out of their proper path, and led to the 
consequences that we have partly related. The 
evening of that day was the time when the Pilot 
intended to complete his enterprise, thinking to 
entrap his game while enjoying the festivities 
that usually succeeded their sports, and an early 
hour in the morning was appointed when Barn- 
stable should appear at the nearest point to the Ab- 
bey, to take off his countrymen, in order that they 
might be as little as possible subjected to the gaze 
of their enemies by day-light. If they failed to ar- 
rive at the appointed time, his instructions were 
to return to his schooner, which lay snugly em- 
bayed in a secret and retired haven, that but few 
ever approached, either by land or water. 

While the young cornet still continued gazing 
at the whale-boat, (for it was the party from the 
schooner that he saw,) the hour expired for the ap- 
pearance of Griffith and his companions, and Barn- 
stable, reluctantly determined to comply with the 
letter of his instructions, and leave them to their 
own sagacity and skill to regain the Ariel. The 
boat had been suffered to ride in the edge of the 
surf, since the appearance of the sun, and the eyes 
of her crew were kept anxiously fixed on the cliffs, 
though in vain, to discover the signal that was to 
call them to the place of landing. After looking at 
his watch for the twentieth time, and as often cast- 
ing glances of uneasy dissatisfaction towards the 
shore, the lieutenant exclaimed — 

u A charming prospect, this, Master Coffin, 
but rather too much poetry in it for your taste ; 1 
believe you relish no land that is of a harder con 
sistency than mud !” 


238 


THE PILOT. 


cc I was born on the waters, sir,” returned the 
cockswain, from his snug abode, where he was dis- 
posed with his usual economy of room, “ and it’s 
according to all things for a man to love his natyve 
soil. I’ll not deny, Captain Barnstable, but I would 
rather drop my anchor on a bottom that won’t 
broom a keel, though, at the same time, I harbour 
no great malice against dry land.” 

u I shall never forgive it, myself, if any acci- 
dent has befallen Griffith, in this excursion,” re- 
joined the lieutenant ; “ his Pilot may be a bet- 
ter man on the water than on terra firma, long 
Tom.” 

The cockswain turned his solemn visage, with 
an extraordinary meaning, towards his commander, 
before he replied — 

“ For as long a time as I have followed the wa- 
ters, sir, and that has been ever since I’ve drawn 
my rations, seeing that I was born while the boat 
was crossing Nantucket shoals, I’ve never known 
a Pilot come off in greater need, than the one we 
fell in with, when we made that stretch or two on 
the land, in the dog-watch of yesterday.” 

u Ay ! the fellow has played his part like a man; 
the occasion was great, and it seems that he was 
quite equal to his work.” 

“ The frigate’s people tell me, sir, that he han- 
dled the ship like a top,” continued the cockswain ; 
u but she is a ship that is a nateral inimy of the 
bottom !” 

“ Can you say as much for this boat, Master 
Coffin ?” cried Barnstable ; <c keep her out of the 
surf, or you’ll have us rolling in upon the beach, 
presently, like an empty water-cask ; you must 
remember that we cannot all wade, like yourself, 
in two-fathom water.” 

The cockswain cast a cool glance at the crest9 


THE PILOT. 


239 


of foam that were breaking over the tops of the 
billows, within a few yards of where their boat 
was riding, and called aloud to his men — 

“ Pull a stroke or two ; away with her into dark 
water.” 

The drop of the oars resembled the movements 
of a nice machine, and the light boat skimmed along 
the water like a duck, that approaches to the very 
brink of some imminent danger, and then avoids it, 
at the most critical moment, apparently without an 
effort. While this necessary movement was mak- 
ing, Barnstable arose, and surveyed the cliffs, with 
keen eyes, and then turning once more in disap- 
pointment from his search, he said — 

u Pull more from the land, and let her run down, 
at an easy stroke, to the schooner. Keep a look- 
out at the cliffs, boys ; it is possible that they are 
stowed in some of the holes in the rocks, for it’s 
no daylight business they are on.” 

The order was promptly obeyed, and they had 
glided along for near a mile, in this manner, in the 
most profound silence, when suddenly the stillness 
was broken by a heavy rush of air, and a dash of 
the water, seemingly at no great distance from 
them. 

“ By heaven, Tom,” cried Barnstable, starting, 
“ there is the blow of a whale.” 

“ Ay, ay, sir,” returned the cockswain with un- 
disturbed composure ; “ here is his spout, not half 
a mile to seaward ; the easterly gale has driven the 
ci eater to leeward, and he begins to find himself 
in shoal water. He’s been sleeping, while he 
should have been working to windward !” 

“ The fellow takes it coolly, too ! he’s in no 
hurry to get an offing !” 

“ I rather conclude, sir,” said the cockswain, 
rolling over his tobacco in his mouth, very com- 


240 


THE PILOT. 


posedly, while his little sunken eyes began to 
twinkle with pleasure at the sight, “ the gentle- 
man has lost his reckoning, and don’t know which 
way to head, to take himself back into blue wa- 
ter.” 

“ ’Tis a fin-back !” exclaimed the lieutenant , 
u he will soon make head-way, and be off.” 

u No, sir, ’tis a right whale,” answered Ton ; 
“ I saw his spout ; he threw up a pair of as pretty 
rainbows as a Christian would wish to look at. 
He’s a raal oil-butt, that fellow !” 

Barnstable laughed, turned himself away from 
the tempting sight, and tried to look at the cliffs ; 
and then unconsciously bent his longing eyes again 
on the sluggish animal, who w T as throwing his huge 
carcass, at times, for many feet from the water, in 
idle gambols. The temptation for sport, and the 
recollection of his early habits, at length prevailed 
over his anxiety in behalf of his friends, and the 
young officer inquired of his cockswain — 

“ Is there any whale-line in the boat, to make 
fast to that harpoon which you bear about with you 
in fair weather or foul ?” 

“ I never trust the boat from the schoonei 
without part of a shot, sir,” returned the cock- 
swain ; “ there is something nateral in the sight 
of a tub to my old eyes.” 

Barnstable looked at his watch, and again at the 
cliffs, when he exclaimed, in joyous tones — 

“ Give strong way, my hearties ! There seems 
nothing better to be done ; let us have a stroke of 
a harpoon at that impudent rascal.” 

The men shouted spontaneously, and the old 
cockswain suffered his solemn visage to relax into 
a small laugh, while the whale-boat sprung for- 
ward like a courser for the gaol. During the few 
minutes they were pulling towards their game. 


THE PILOT. 


241 


long Tom arose from his crouching attitude in the 
stern sheets, and transferred his huge form to the 
bows of the boat, where he made such prepara- 
tions to strike the whale as the occasion required. 
The tub, containing about half of a whale-line, was 
placed at the feet of Barnstable, who had been pre- 
paring an oar to steer with, in place of the rudder, 
which was unshipped, in order that, if necessary, 
the boat might be whirled round, when not ad- 
vancing. 

Their approach was utterly unnoticed by the 
monster of the deep, who continued to amuse him- 
self with throwing the water, in two circular spouts, 
high into the air, occasionally flourishing the broad 
flukes of his tail with a graceful but terrific force, 
until the hardy seamen were within a few hundred 
feet of him, when he suddenly cast his head down- 
ward, and, without an apparent effort, reared his 
immense body for many feet above the water, 
waving his tail violently, and producing a whizzing 
noise, that sounded like the rushing of winds. 

The cockswain stood erect, poising his harpoon, 
ready for the blow ; but when he beheld the crea- 
ture assume this formidable attitude, he waved his 
hand to his commander, who instantly signed to 
his men to cease rowing. In this situation the 
sportsmen rested a few moments, while the whale 
struck several blows on the w 7 ater, in rapid succes- 
sion, the noise of which re-echoed along the cliffs, 
like the hollow reports of so many cannon. After 
this wanton exhibition of his terrible strength, the 
monster sunk again into his native element, and 
slowly disappeared from the eyes of his pursuers. 

u Which way did he head, Tom ?” cried Barn- 
stable, the moment the whale w 7 as out of sight. 

u Pretty much up and down, sir,” returned the 
cockswain, whose eye was gradually brightening 

21 


242 


THE PILOT. 


with the excitement of the sport; a he’ll soon iun 
his nose against the bottom, if he stands long on 
that course, and will be glad to get another snuff 
of pure air ; send her a few fathoms to starboard, 
sir, and I promise we shall not be out of his 
track.” 

The conjecture of the experienced old seaman 
proved true, for in a few minutes the water broke 
near them, and another spout was cast into the 
air, when the huge animal rushed, for half his 
length, in the same direction, and fell on the sea, 
with a turbulence and foam equal to that which is 
produced by the launching of a vessel, for the first 
time, into its proper element. After this evolu- 
tion, the whale rolled heavily, and seemed to rest 
from further efforts. 

His slightest movements were closely watched by 
Barnstable and his cockswain, and when he was in 
a state of comparative rest, the former gave a sig- 
nal to his crew, to ply their oars once more. A 
few long and vigorous strokes sent the boat directly 
up to the broadside of the whale, with its bows 
pointing towards one of the fins, which was, at 
times, as the animal yielded sluggishly to the ac- 
tion of the waves, exposed to view. The cock- 
swain poised his harpoon with much precision, and 
then darted it from him with a violence that bu- 
ried the iron in the blubber of their foe. The 
instant the blow was made, long Tom shouted, 
with singular earnestness — 

u Starn all !” 

u Stern all !” echoed Barnstable ; when the 
obedient seamen, by united efforts, forced the boat 
in a backward direction, beyond the reach of any 
blow from their formidable antagonist. The 
alarmed animal, however, meditated no such re- 
sistance ; ignorant of his own power, and of the 


THE PILOT. 


243 


insignificance of his enemies, he sought refuge in 
flight. One moment of stupid surprise succeeded 
the entrance of the iron, when he cast his huge 
tail into the air, with a violence that threw the sea 
around him into increased commotion, and then 
disappeared with the quickness of lightning, amid 
a cloud of foam. 

a Snub him !” shouted Barnstable ; “ hold on, 
Tom; he rises already.” 

“ Ay, ay, sir,” replied the composed cockswain, 
seizing the line, which was running out of the boat 
with a velocity that rendered such a manoeuvre 
rather hazardous, and causing it to yield more 
gradually round the large loggerhead that w 7 as 
placed in the bow r s of the boat for that purpose. 
Presently the line stretched forward, and rising to 
the surface, w r ith tremulous vibrations, it indicated 
the direction in which the animal might be expect- 
ed to re-appear. Barnstable had cast the bow 7 s 
of the boat towards that point, before the terrified 
and w r ounded victim rose once more to the surface, 
whose time w 7 as, however, no longer wasted in 
his sports, but who cast the waters aside, as he 
forced his way, with prodigious velocity, along 
their surface. The boat w 7 as dragged violently in 
his w r ake, and cut through the billow 7 s with a ter- 
rific rapidity, that at moments, appeared to bury 
the slight fabric in the ocean. When long Tom 
beheld his victim throwing his spouts on high 
again, he pointed with exultation to the jetting 
fluid, w r hieh w 7 as streaked with the deep red of 
blood, and cried — 

- Ay ! P ve touched the fellow’s life ! it must be 
more than tw 7 o foot of blubber that stops my iron 
from reaching the life of any wdiale that evei 
sculled the ocean !” 

“ 1 believe you have saved yourself the trou 


244 


THE PILOT. 


ble of using the bayonet you have rigged for a 
lance,” said his commander, who entered into the 
sport with all the ardour of one w r hose youth had 
been chiefly passed in such pursuits : “ feel your 
line, Master Coffin ; can we haul alongside of our 
enemy ? I like not the course he is steering, as 
he tows us from the schooner.” 

u ’Tis the creater’s way, sir,” said the cock- 
swain ; u you know they need the air in their nos- 
trils, when they run, the same as a man ; but lay 
hold, boys, and let us haul up to him.” 

The seamen now seized the whale-line, and 
slowly draw their boat to within a few feet of the 
tail of the fish, whose progress became sensibly 
less rapid, as he grew weak with the loss of blood. 
In a few minutes he stopped running, and appeared 
to roll uneasily on the water, as if suffering the 
agony of death. 

“ Shall we pull in, and finish him, Tom ?” cried 
Barnstable ; u a few sets from your bayonet would 
do it.” 

The cockswain stood examining his game, with 
cool discretion, and replied to this interrogatory — 
u No, sir, no — he’s going into his flurry ; there’s 
no occasion for disgracing ourselves by using a 
soldier’s weapon in taking a whale. Starn off, sir, 
starn off! the creater’s in his flurry !” 

The warning of the prudent cockswain w T as 
promptly obeyed, and the boat cautiously drew off 
to a distance, leaving to the animal a clear space, 
while under its dying agonies. From a state of 
perfect rest, the terrible monster threw its tail on 
high, as when in sport, but its blows were trebled 
in rapidity and violence, till all w T as hid from view 
by a pyramid of foam, that was deeply dyed with 
blood. The roarings of the fish were like the bel- 
lowings of a herd of bulls, and to one who was ig« 


THE PILOT. 


245 


norant of the fact, it would have appeared as if a 
thousand monsters were engaged in deadly com- 
bat, behind the bloody mist that obstructed the 
view. Gradually, these effects subsided, and when 
the discoloured water again settled down to the 
long and regular swell of the ocean, the fish was 
seen, exhausted, and yielding passively to its fate. 
As life departed, the enormous black mass rolled 
to one side, and whefi the white and glistening 
skin of the belly became apparent, the seamen well 
knew that their victory was achieved. 

44 What’s to be done now ?” said Barnstable, as 
he stood and gazed with a diminished excitement 
at their victim ; 44 he will yield no food, and his 
carcass will probably drift to land, and furnish our 
enemies with the oil.” 

44 If I had but that creater in Boston Bay,” said 
the cockswain, 44 it would prove the making of me ; 
but such is my luck for ever ! Pull up, at any 
rate, and let me get my harpoon and line — the 
English shall never get them while old Tom Cof- 
fin can blow.” 

44 Don’t speak too fast,” said the strokesman of 
the boat ; 44 whether he get your iron or not, here 
he comes in chase !” 

44 What mean you, fellow ?” cried Barnstable. 

44 Captain Barnstable can look for himself,” re- 
turned the seaman, 44 and tell whether I speak 
truth.” 

The young sailor turned, and saw the Alacrity, 
bearing down before the wind, with all her sails 
set, as she rounded a headland, but a short half 
league to windward of the place where the boat 

k i y. 

44 Pass that glass to me,” said the captain with 
steady composure. 44 This promises us work in 
one of two ways ; if sfe be armed, it has become 

21 * 


246 


THE PILOT. 


our turn to run ; if not, we are strong enough to 
carry her.” 

A very brief survey made the experienced offi- 
cer acquainted with the true character of the ves- 
sel in sight ; and, replacing the glass with much 
coolness, he said, 

u That fellow shows long arms, and ten teeth, 
beside King George’s pennant from his top-mast- 
head. Now, my lads, you are to pull for your 
lives ; for whatever may be the notions of Master 
Coffin on the subject of his harpoon, I have no in- 
clination to have my arms pinioned by John Bull, 
though his majesty himself put on the irons.” 

The men well understood the manner and mean- 
ing of their commander ; and, throwing aside their 
coats, they applied themselves in earnest to their 
task. For half an hour a profound silence reigned 
in the boat, which made an amazing progress-. But 
many circumstances conspired to aid the cutter ; 
she had a fine breeze, with smooth water, and a 
strong tide in her favour ; and, at the expiration 
of the time we have mentioned, it was but too ap- 
parent that the distance between the pursued and 
pursuers was lessened nearly half. Barnstable 
preserved his steady countenance, but there was 
an expression of care gathering around his dark 
brow, which indicated that he saw the increasing 
danger of their situation. 

u That fellow has long legs, Master Coffin,” he 
said, in a cheerful tone ; “ your whale-line must 
go overboard, and the fifth oar must be handled by 
your delicate hands.” 

Tom arose from his seat, and proceeding for- 
ward, he cast the tub and its contents together into 
the sea, when he seated himself at the bow oar, 
and bent his athletic frame with amazing vigour to 
the task. 


THE PILOT. 


247 


“ Ah ! there s much of your philosophy in that 
stroke, long Tom,” cried his commander; “keep 
it up boys, and if we gain nothing else, we shall at 
least gain time for deliberation. Come, Master 
Coffin, what think you ; we have three resources 
before us, let us hear which is j^our choice : first, 
we can turn and fight and be sunk ; secondly, we 
can pull to the land, and endeavour to make good 
our retreat to the schooner in that manner ; and, 
thirdly, we can head to the shore, and possibly by 
running under the guns of that fellow, get the wind 
of him, and keep the air in our nostrils, after the 
manner of the whale. Damn the whale ! but for 
the tow the black rascal gave us, we should have 
been out of sight of this rover !” 

“ If we fight,” said Tom, with quite as much 
composure as his commander manifested, “ we 
shall be taken or sunk ; if we land, sir, I shall be 
taken for one man, as I never could make any head- 
way on dry ground ; and if we try to get the wind 
of him by pulling under the cliffs, we shall be cut 
off by a parcel of lubbers that I can see running 
along their edges, hoping, I dare say, that they 
shall be able to get a skulking shot at a boat’s crew 
of honest seafaring men.” 

“You speak with as much truth as philosophy, 
Tom,” said Barnstable, who saw his slender hopes 
of success curtailed, by the open appearance of the 
horse and foot on the cliffs. “ These Englishmen 
have not slept the last night, and 1 fear Griffith 
and Manual will fare but badly. That fellow 
brings a cap full of wind down with him — ’tis just 
his play, and he walks like a race-horse. Ha ! ho 
begins to be in earnest !” 

While Barnstable was speaking, a column of 
white smoke was seen issuing from the bows of 
the cutter, and as the report of a cannon was 


248 


THE PILOT. 


wafted to their ears, the shot was seen skipping 
from wave to wave, tossing the water in spray, 
and flying to a considerable distance beyond them. 
The seamen cast cursory glances in the direction 
of the passing ball, but it produced no manifest ef- 
fect in either their conduct or appearance. The 
cockswain, who scanned its range with an eye of 
more practice than the rest, observed, “ That’s 
a lively piece for its metal, and it speaks with a 
good clear voice ; but if they hear it aboard the 
Ariel, the man who fired it will be sorry it wasn’t 
born dumb.” 

“You are the prince of philosophers, Master 
Coffin !” cried Barnstable ; “ there is some hope 
in that ; let the Englishman talk away, and my 
life on it, the Ariels don’t believe it is thunder ; 
hand me a musket — I’ll draw another shot.” 

The piece was given to Barnstable, who dis- 
charged it several times, as if to taunt their ene- 
mies, and the scheme was completely successful. 
Goaded by the insults, the cutter discharged gun 
after gun at the little boat, throwing the shot fre- 
quently so near as to wet her crew with the spray, 
but without injuring them in the least. The fail- 
ure of these attempts to injure them, excited the 
mirth of the reckless seamen, instead of creating 
any alarm ; and whenever a shot came nearer than 
common, the cockswain would utter some such ex- 
pression as — 

“ A ground swell, a long shot, and a small ob- 
ject, make a clean target ;” or, “ A man must 
squint straight to hit a boat.” 

As, notwithstanding their unsuccessful gunnery, 
the cutter was constantly gaining on the whale- 
boat, there was a prospect of a speedy termination 
of the chase, when the report of a cannon was 
thrown back like an echo from one of the English- 


THE PILOT. 


249 


man’s discharges, and Barnstable and his compa- 
nions had the pleasure of seeing the Ariel stretch- 
ing slowly out of the little bay where she had 
passed the night, with the smoke of the gun of de- 
fiance curling above her taper masts. 

A loud and simultaneous shout of rapture was 
given by the lieutenant and all his boat’s-crew^, 
at this cheering sight, while the cutter took in all 
her light sails, and, as she hauled up on a wind, 
she fired a whole broadside at the successful fugi- 
tives. Many stands of grape, with several round 
shot, flew by the boat, and fell upon the w 7 ater, 
near them, raising a cloud of foam, but without 
doing any injury. 

u She dies in a fluny,” said Tom, casting his 
eyes at the little vortex into which the boat was 
then entering. 

“ If her commander be a true man,” cried Barn- 
stable, u he’ll not leave us on so short an acquaint- 
ance. Give way, my souls ! give way ! I would 
see more of this loquacious cruiser.” 

The temptation for exertion was great, and it 
w r as not disregarded by the men ; in a few minutes 
the whale-boat reached the schooner, when the 
crew of the latter received their commander and 
his companions with shouts and cheers that rung 
across the waters, and reached the ears of the dis- 
appointed spectators on the verge of the cliffs. 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


w Thus guided, on their course they bore, 

Until they near’d the mainland shore ; 

When frequent on the hollow blast, 

Wild shouts of merriment were cast.” 

Lord cf the Tales, 


The joyful shouts and hearty cheers of the 
Ariel’s crew continued for some time after her 
commander had reached her deck. Barnstable 
answered the congratulations of his officers by cor- 
dial shakes of the hand, and after waiting for the 
ebullition of delight among the seamen to subside 
a little, he beckoned with an air of authority for 
silence. 

u I thank you, my lads, for your good will,” 
he said, when all were gathered around him in 
deep attention : u they have given us a tough chase, 
and if you had left us another mile to go, we had 
been lost. That fellow is a King’s cutter, and 
though his disposition to run to leeward is a good 
deal mollified, yet he shows signs of fight. At any 
rate, he is stripping off some of his clothes, which 
looks as if he were game. Luckily for us, Cap- 
tain Manual has taken all his marines ashore 
with him, (though w T hat he has done with them or 
himself, is a mystery,) or we should have had our 
decks lumbered with live cattle ; but, as it is we 
have a good working breeze, tolerably smooth wa- 
ter, and a dead match ! Theie is a sort of national 


THE PILOT. 


251 


obligation on us to whip that fellow, and, therefore 
without more words about the matter, let us turn 
to and do it, that we may get our breakfasts.” 

To this specimen of marine eloquence, the crew 
cheered as usual ; the young men burning for the 
combat, and the few old sailors who belonged to 
the schooner, shaking their heads with infinite sa- 
tisfaction, and swearing by sundry strange oaths, 
that their captain u could talk, when there was 
need of such thing, like the best Dictionary that 
ever was launched. 55 

During this short harangue, and the subsequent 
comments, the Ariel had been kept, under a cloud 
of canvass, as near to the wind as she could lie, 
and as this was her best sailing, she had stretched 
swiftly out from the land, to a distance whence the 
cliffs and the soldiers who were spread along their 
summits, became plainly visible. Barnstable turned 
his glass repeatedly, from the cutter to the shore, 
as different feelings predominated in his breast, be- 
fore he again spoke. 

u If Mr. Griffith is stowed away among those 
rocks,” he at length said, “ he shall see as pretty 
an argument discussed, in as few words, as he 
ever listened to, provided the gentlemen in yon- 
der cutter have not changed their minds as to the 
road they intend to journey — what think you, Mr. 
Merry ?” 

“ I wish with all my heart and soul, sir,” re- 
turned the fearless boy, u that Mr. Griffith was safe 
aboard us; it seems the country is alarmed, and 
God knows what will happen if he is taken ! as to 
the fellow to windward, he’ll find it easier to deal 
with the Ariel’s boat, than with her mother ; but 
he carries a broad sail ; I question if he means to 
show play.” 

u Never doubt him, boy,” said Barnstable, u he 


252 


THE PILOT. 


is working off the shore, like a man of sense, and 
besides, he has his spectacles on, trying to make 
out what tribe of Yankee Indians we belong to. 
You’ll see him come to the wind presently, and 
send a few pieces of iron down this way, by the 
way of letting us know where to find him. Much 
as I like your first lieutenant, Mr. Merry, I would 
rather leave him on the land this day, than see 
him on my decks. I want no fighting captain to 
work this boat for me ! but tell the drummer, sir, 
to beat to quarters.” 

The boy, who was staggering under the weight 
of his melodious instrument, had been expecting 
this command, and, without waiting for the mid- 
shipman to communicate the order, lie commenced 
that short rub-a-dub air, that will at any time rouse 
a thousand men from the deepest sleep, and cause 
them to fly to their means of offence, with a com- 
mon soul. The crew of the Ariel had been col- 
lected in groups, studying the appearance of the 
enemy, cracking their jokes, and waiting only for 
this usual order to repair to the guns ; and at the 
first tap of the drum, they spread with steadiness 
to the different parts of the little vessel, where 
their various duties called them. The cannon were 
surrounded by small parties of vigorous and athle- 
tic young men ; the few marines were drawn up 
in array with muskets ; the officers appeared in 
their boarding caps, with pistols stuck in their 
belts, and naked sabres in their hands. Barnstable 
paced his little quarter-deck with a firm tread, 
dangling a speaking trumpet, by its lanyard, on his 
fore-finger, or occasionally applying the glass to his 
eye, which, when not in use, "was placed under one 
arm, while his sword was resting against the foot 
of the mainmast ; a pair of heavy ship’s pistols were 
thrust in his belt also ; and piles of muskets, board 


THE PILOT. 


253 


ing-pikes, and naked sabres, were placed on dif- 
ferent parts of the deck. The laugh of the sea- 
men was heard no longer , and those who spoke 
uttered their thoughts only in low and indistinct 
whispers. 

The English cutter held her way from the land, 
until she got an offing of more than two miles, 
when she reduced her sails to a yet smaller num- 
ber, and heaving into the wind, she fired a gun in 
a direction opposite to that which pointed to the 
Ariel. 

“ Now I would wager a quintal of codfish, Mas- 
ter Coffin,” said Barnstable, “ against the best 
2ask of porter that was ever brewed in England, 
that fellow believes a Yankee schooner can fly in 
the wind’s eye ! If he wishes to speak to us, why 
don’t he give his cutter a little sheet, and come 
down ?” 

The cockswain had made his arrangements for 
the combat, with much more method and philoso- 
phy than any other man in the vessel. When the 
drum beat to quarters, he threw aside his jacket, 
vest, and shirt, with as little hesitation as if he 
stood under an American sun, and with all the dis- 
cretion of a man who had engaged in an under- 
taking that required the free use of his utmost 
powers. As he was known to be a privileged in- 
dividual in the Ariel, and one whose opinions, in 
all matters of seamanship, were regarded as ora- 
cles by the crew, and were listened to by his com- 
mander with no little demonstration of respect, the 
question excited no surprise. He was standing at 
the breech of his long gun, with his brawny arms 
folded on a breast that had been turned to the co- 
lour of blood by long exposure, his grizzled locks 
fluttering in the breeze, and his tall form towering 
far above the heads of all near him. 

22 


254 


THE PILOT. 


u He hugs the wind, sir, as if it was his sweet- 
heart,” was his answer ; “ but he’ll let go hishold ; 
soon ; and if he don’t, we can find a w ay to make 
him fall to leeward.” 

“ Keep a good full !” cried the commander, in 
a stern voice, “ and let the vessel go through the 
water. That fellow w T alks well, long Tom; but 
we aie too much for him on a bowling ; though, if 
he continue to draw ahead in this manner, it will 
be night before we can get alongside him.” 

u Ay, ay, sir,” returned the cocksw T ain ; u them 
cutters carries a press of canvass w T hen they seem 
to have but little ; their gafts are all the same as 
young booms, and spread a broad bead to their 
mainsails. But it’s no hard matter to knock a few 
cloths out of their bolt-ropes, when she will both 
drop astarn and to leeward.” 

u I believe there is good sense in your scheme, 
this time,” said Barnstable ; “ for I am anxious 
about the frigate’s people — though I hate a noisy 
chase ; speak to him, Tom, and let us see if he 
will answer.” 

a Ay, ay, sir,” cried the cockswain, sinking his 
body in such a manner as to let his head fall to a 
level with the .cannon that he controlled, when, 
after diverse orders, and sundry movements, to 
govern the direction of the piece, he applied a 
match, with a rapid motion, to the priming. An 
immense body of w r hite smoke rushed from the 
muzzle of the cannon, followed by a sheet of vivid 
fire, until, losing its power, it yielded to the wind, 
and, as it rose from the water, spread like a cloud, 
and, passing through the masts of the schooner, 
was driven far to leeward, and soon blended in the 
mists w T hich were swiftly scudding before the fresh 
breezes of the ocean. 

Although many curious eyes were watching this 


% 


THE PILOT. 


255 


beautiful sight from the cliffs, there was too little 
of novelty in the exhibition to attract a single look 
of the crew of the schooner, from the more im- 
portant examination of the effect of the shot on 
their enemy. Barnstable sprang lightly on a gun, 
and watched the instant when the ball would strike, 
with keen interest, while long Tom threw him- 
self aside from the line of the smoke with a simi- 
lar intention ; holding one of his long arms extend- 
ed towards his namesake, with a finger on the vent, 
and supporting his frame by placing the hand of 
the other on the deck, as his eyes glanced through 
an opposite port-hole, in an attitude that most men 
might have despaired of imitating with success. 

“ There go the chips !” cried Barnstable. “ Bra 
vo ! Master Coffin, you never planted iron in the 
ribs of an Englishman with more judgment ; let 
him have another piece of it, and if he like the 
sport, we’ll play a game of long bowls with him !” 

“ Ay, ay, sir,” returned the cockswain, who, the 
instant he witnessed the effects of his shot, had re 
turned to superintend the reloading of his gun ; 
“ if he holds on half an hour longer, I’ll dub him 
down to our own size, when we can close, and 
make an even fight of it.” 

The drum of the Englishman was now, for the 
first time, heard, rattling across the waters, and 
echoing the call to quarters, that had already pro- 
ceeded from the Ariel. 

“ Ah ! you have sent him to his guns !” said 
Barnstable ; “ we shall now hear more of it ; 
wake him up, Tom — wake him up.” 

“We shall start him an end, or put him to sleep 
altogether, shortly,” said the deliberate cockswain, 
who never allowed himself to be at all hurried, 
even by his commander. “ My shot are pretty 
much like a shoal of porpoises, and commonly sail 


256 


THE PILOT. 


in each other’s wake. Stand by — heave her 
breech forward — so ; get out of that, you damned 
young reprobate, and let my harpoon alone.” 
u What are you at, there, Master Coffin ?” cried 
Barnstable ; u are you tongue-tied ?” 

“ Here’s one of the boys skylarking with my 
harpoon in the lee scuppers, and by-and-by, when 
I shall want it most, there’ll be a no-man’s-land 
to hunt for it in.” 

u Never mind the boy, Tom ; send him aft here , 
to me, and I’ll polish his behaviour ; give the Eng- 
lishman some more iron.” 

“ I want the little villain to pass up my car 
tridges,” returned the angry old seaman ; u but if 
you’ll be so good, sir, as to hit him a crack or two, 
now and then, as he goes by you to the magazine, 
the monkey will learn his manners, and the schoo- 
ner’s work will be all the better done for it. A 
young herring-faced monkey ! to meddle with a 
tool ye don’t know the use of. If your parents 
had spent more of their money on your edication. 
and less on your outfit, you’d ha’ been a gentle- 
man to what ye are now.” 

“ Hurrah ! Tom, hurrah !” cried Barnstable, a 
little impatiently ; “ is your namesake never to 
open his throat again !” 

u Ay, ay, sir ; all ready,” grumbled the cock- 
swain, u depress a little ; so — so ; a damn’d young 
baboon-behaved curmudgeon ; overhaul that for- 
ward fall more ; stand by with your match — but 
I’ll pay him ! fire.” This w r as the actual com- 
mencement of the fight; for as the shot of Tom 
Coffin travelled, as he had intimated, very much 
in the same direction, their enemy found the sport 
becoming too hot to be endured in silence, and the 
report of the second gun from the Ariel was in- 
stantly followed by that of the whole broadside of 


THE PILOT 


257 


the Alacrity. The shot of the cutter flew in a ve- 
ry good direction, bat her guns were too light to 
give them efficiency at that distance, and as one 
or two were heard to strike against the bends of 
the schooner, and fall back, innocuously, into the 
svater, the cockswain, whose good humour became 
gradually restored, as the combat thickened, re- 
marked with his customary apathy — 

a Them count for no more than love taps — does 
the Englishman think that we are firing salutes !” 
“ Stir him up, Tom ! every blow you give him 
will help to open his eyes,” cried Barnstable, rub- 
bing his hands with glee, as he witnessed the suc- 
cess of his efforts to close. 

Thus far the cockswain and his crew had the 
fight, on the part of the Ariel, altogether to them- 
selves, the men who were stationed at the smaller 
and shorter guns, standing in perfect idleness by 
their sides ; but in ten or fifteen minutes the com- 
mander of the Alacrity, who had been staggered 
by the weight of the shot that had struck him, 
found that it was no longer in his power to retreat, 
if he wished it ; when he decided on the only 
course that was left for a brave man to pursue, and 
steered boldly in such a direction as would soonest 
bring him in contact with his enemy, without ex- 
posing his vessel to be raked by his fire. Barn- 
stable watched each movement of his foe with ea- 
gle eyes, and when the vessel had got within a les- 
sened distance, he gave the order for a general fire 
to be opened. The action now grew warm and 
spirited on both sides. The power of the wind 
was counteracted by the constant explosion of the 
cannon ; and instead of driving rapidly to leeward, 
a white canopy of curling smoke hung above the 
Ariel, or rested on the water, lingering in her 
wake, so as to mark the path by which shfc was 

22 * 


258 


THE PILOT. 


approaching to a closer and still deadlier struggle. 
The shouts of the young sailors, as they handled 
their instruments of death, became more animated 
and fierce, while the cockswain pursued his occu- 
pation with the silence and skill of one who la- 
boured in a regular vocation. Barnstable was un- 
usually composed and quiet, maintaining the grave 
deportment of a commander on whom rested the 
fortunes of the contest, at the same time that his 
dark eyes were dancing with the fire of suppress- 
ed animation. 

u Give it them !” he occasionally cried, in a 
voice that might be heard amid the bellowing of 
the cannon ; “ never mind their cordage, my lads ; 
drive home their bolts, and make your marks be- 
low their ridge-ropes.” 

In the mean time the Englishman played a man- 
ful game. He had suffered a heavy loss by the 
distant cannonade, which no metal he possessed 
could retort upon his enemy ; but he struggled no- 
bly to repair the error in judgment with which he 
had begun the contest. The two vessels gradual- 
ly drew nigber to each other, until they both en- 
tered into the common cloud, created by their fire, 
which thickened and spread around them in such 
a manner as to conceal their dark hulls from the 
gaze of the curious and interested spectators on 
the cliffs. The heavy reports of the cannon were 
now mingled with the rattling of muskets and 
pistols, and streaks of fire might be seen glanc- 
ing like flashes of lightning through the white 
cloud which enshrouded the combatants, and 
many minutes of painful uncertainty followed, 
before the deeply interested soldiers, who were 
gazing at the scene, discovered on whose banners 
victory had alighted. 

We shall follow the combatants into their misty 


THE PILOT. 


259 


wreath, and display to the reader the events as 
they occurred. 

The fire of the Ariel was much the most quick 
and deadly, both because she had suffered less, and 
her men were less exhausted ; and the cutter stood 
desperately on to decide the combat, after grap- 
pling, hand to hand. Barnstable anticipated her 
intention, and well understood her commander’s 
reason for adopting this course, but he was not a 
man to calculate coolly his advantages, when pride 
and daring invited him to a more severe trial. Ac- 
cordingly, he met the enemy half-way, and as the 
vessels rushed together, the stern of the schooner 
was secured to the bows of the cutter, by the joint 
efforts of both parties. The voice of the English 
commander was now plainly to be heard, in the 
uproar, calling to his men to follow him. 

“ Away there, boarders ! repel boarders on the 
starboard quarter !” shouted Barnstable through 
his trumpet. 

This was the last order that the gallant young 
sailor gave with this instrument, for, as he spoke, he 
cast it from him, and seizing his sabre, flew to the 
spot where the enemy was about to make his most 
desperate effort. The shouts, execrations, and 
tauntings of the combatants, now succeeded to the 
roar of the cannon, which could be used no longer 
with effect, though the fight was still maintained 
with spirited discharges of the small arms. 

u Sweep him from his decks !” cried the English 
commander, as he appeared on his own bulwarks, 
surrounded by a dozen of his bravest men ; u drive 
the rebellious dogs into the sea !” 

“ Away there, marines !” retorted Barnstable, 
firing his pistol at the advancing enemy ; u leave 
not a man of them to sup his grog again.” 


THE PILOT. 



The tremendous and close volley that succeeded 
this order nearly accomplished the command of 
Barnstable to the letter, and the commander of the 
Alacrity, perceiving that he stood alone, reluctantly 
fell back on the deck of his own vessel, in order 
to bring on his men once more. 

“ Board her ! gray beards and boys, idlers and 
all !” shouted Barnstable, springing in advance of 
his crew — a powerful arm arrested the movement 
of the dauntless seaman, and before he had time to 
recover himself, he was drawn violently back to 
his own vessel, by the irresistible grasp of his 
cockswain. 

u The fellow’s in his flurry,” said Tom, “ and 
it wouldn’t be wise to go within reach of his flukes ; 
but I’ll just step ahead and give him a set with my 
harpoon.” 

Without waiting for a reply, the cockswain reared 
his tall frame on the bulwarks, and was in the at- 
titude of stepping on board of his enemy, when a 
sea separated the vessels, and he fell with a heavy 
dash of the waters into the ocean. As twenty 
muskets and pistols were discharged at the instant 
he appeared, the crew of the Ariel supposed his 
fall to be occasioned by his wounds, and were ren- 
dered doubly fierce by the sight, and the cry of 
their commander to — 

u Revenge long Tom ! board her; long Tom or 
death !” 

They threw themselves forward in irresistible 
numbers, and forced a passage, with much blood- 
shed, to the forecastle of the Alacrity. The En- 
glishman was overpowered, but still remained un- 
daunted — he rallied his crew, and bore up most 
gallantly to the fray. Thrusts of pikes, and blows 
of sabres were becoming close and deadly, whik? 


THE PILOT. 


261 


muskets and pistols were constantly discharged by 
those who were kept at a distance by the pressure 
of the throng of closer combatants. 

Barnstable led his men, in advance, and became 
a mark of peculiar vengeance to his enemies, as 
they slowly yielded before his vigorous assaults. 
Chance had placed the two commanders on oppo- 
site sides of the cutter’s deck, and the victory 
seemed to incline towards either party, wherever 
these daring officers directed the struggle in per- 
son. But the Englishman, perceiving that the 
ground he maintained in person was lost elsewhere, 
made an effort to restore the battle, by changing 
his position, followed by one or two of his best 
men. A marine, who preceded him, levelled his 
musket within a few feet of the head of the Ame- 
rican commander, and was about to fire, when 
Merry glided among the combatants, and passed 
his dirk into the body of the man, who fell at the 
blow ; shaking his piece, with horrid imprecations, 
the wounded soldier prepared to deal his vengeance 
on his youthful assailant, when the fearless boy 
leaped within its muzzle, and buried his own keen 
weapon in his heart. 

u Hurrah !” shouted the unconscious Barnsta- 
ble, from the edge of the quarter-deck, where, at- 
tended by a few men, he was driving all before 
him. “ Revenge — long Tom and victory !” 

“ We have them !” exclaimed the Englishman ; 
u handle your pikes ! we have them between two 
fires.” 

The battle would probably have terminated very 
differently from what previous circumstances had 
indicated, had not a wild-looking figure appeared 
in the cutter’s channels at tnat moment, issuing ‘ 
from the sea, and gaining the deck at the same in- 
stant. It was long Tom, with his iron visage ren- 


262 


THE PILOT. 


dered fierce by his previous discomfiture, and his 
grizzled locks drenched with the briny element, 
from which he had risen, looking like Neptune with 
his trident. Without speaking, he poised his har- 
poon, and wdth a powerful effort, pinned the unfor- 
tunate Englishman to the mast of his own vessel. 

“ Starn all !” cried Tom, by a sort of instinct, 
when the blow was struck ; and catching up the 
musket of the fallen marine, he dealt out terrible 
and fatal blows with its butt, on all who approach- 
ed him, utterly disregarding the use of the bayonet 
on its muzzle. The unfortunate commander of 
the Alacrity brandished his sword with frantic ges- 
tures, while his eyes rolled in horrid wildness, 
when he writhed for an instant in his passing ago- 
nies, and then, as his head dropped lifeless upon 
his gored breast, he hung against the spar, a spec- 
tacle of dismay to his crew. A few of the Eng- 
lishmen stood chained to the spot in silent horror 
at the sight, but most of them fled to their lower 
deck, or hastened to conceal themselves in the se- 
cret parts of the vessel, leaving to the Americans 
the undisputed possession of the Alacrity. 

Two thirds of the cutter’s crew suffered either 
in life or limbs, by this short struggle ; nor was 
the victory obtained by Barnstable without paying 
the price of several valuable lives. The first burst 
of conquest was not, however, the moment to ap- 
preciate the sacrifice, and loud and reiterated 
shouts proclaimed the exultation of the conquer- 
ors. As the flush of victory subsided, however, 
recollection returned, and Barnstable issued such 
orders as humanity and his duty rendered neces- 
sary. While the vessels were separating, and the 
bodies of the dead and wounded were removing, 
the conqueror paced the deck of his prize, as if 
lost in deep reflection. He passed his hand, fre- 


THE PILOT. 


263 


quently, across his blackened and bloodstained 
brow, while his eyes would rise to examine the 
vast canopy of smoke that was hovering above the 
vessels, like a dense fog exhaling from the ocean. 
The result of his deliberations was soon announced 
to his crew. 

u Haul down all your flags,” he cried ; u set the 
Englishman’s colours again, and show the enemy’s 
jack above our ensign in the Ariel.” 

The appearance of the whole channel-fleet with- 
in half gun shot, would not have occasioned more 
astonishment among the victors, than this extra- 
ordinary mandate. The wondering seamen sus- 
pended their several employments, to gaze at the 
singular change that was making in the flags, those 
symbols that were viewed with a sort of reverence, 
but none presumed to comment openly on the pro- 
cedure except long Tom, who stood on the quar- 
ter-deck of the prize, straightening the pliable iron 
of the harpoon which he had recovered, with as 
much care and diligence as if it were necessary to 
the maintenance of their conquest. Like the others, 
however, he suspended his employment, when he 
heard this order, and manifested no reluctance to 
express his dissatisfaction at the measure. 

u If the Englishmen grumble at the fight, and 
think it not fair play,” muttered the old cockswain, 
“ let us try it over again, sir ; as they are some- 
what short of hands, they can send a boat to the 
land, and get off a gang of them lazy riptyles, the 
soldiers, who stand looking at us, like so many 
red lizards crawling on a beach, and we’ll give 
them another chance ; but damme, if I see the use 
of whipping them, if this is to be the better end of 
the matter.” 

u What’s that you’re grumbling there, like a 


264 


THE PILOT. 


dead north-easter, you horse mackerel !” said 
Barnstable ; “ where are our friends and country- 
men who are on the land ! are we to leave them 
to swing on gibbets or rot in dungeons !” 

The cockswain listened with great earnestness, 
and when his commander had spoken, he struck 
the palm of his broad hand against his brawny 
thigh, with a report like a pistol, and answered, 
u I see how it is, sir ; you reckon the red coats 
have Mr. Griffith in tow. Just run the schooner 
into shoal water, Captain Barnstable, and drop an 
anchor, where we can get the long gun to bear on 
them, and give me the whale-boat and five or six 
men to back me — they must have long legs if they 
get an offing before I run them aboard !” 

u Fool! do you think a boat’s crew could con- 
tend with fifty armed soldiers !” 

u Soldiers!” echoed Tom, whose spirits had 
been strongly excited by the conflict, snapping his 
fingers with ineffable disdain, u that for all the sol- 
diers that were ever rigged : one whale could kill 
a thousand of them ! and here stands the man that 
has killed his round hundred of whales !” 

u Pshaw 7 , you grampus, do you turn braggart in 
your old age.” 

u It’s no bragging, sir, to speak a log-book 
truth ! but if Captain Barnstable thinks that old 
Tom Coffin carries a speaking trumpet for a 
figure head, let him pass the w 7 ord forrard to man 
the boats.” 

u No, no, my old master at the marlingspike,” 
said Barnstable, kindly, u I know 7 thee too well, 
thou brother of Neptune ! but, shall w 7 e not throw 
the bread-room dust in those Englishmen’s eyes, 
by wearing their bunting awhile, till something 
may offer to help our captured countrymen.” 


THE PILOT* 


265 


The cockswain shook his head, and cogitated a 
moment, as if struck with sundry new ideas, when 
the matter, they will sheet them down to their 
leather neckcloths !” 

With this reflection the cockswain was much 
consoled, and the business of repairing damages and 
securing the prize, proceeded without further in- 
terruption on his part The few prisoners who 
were unhurt, were rapidly transferred to the Ariel. 
While Barnstable was attending to this duty, an 
unusual bustle drew his eyes to one of the hatch- 
ways, where he beheld a couple of his marines 
dragging forward a gentleman, whose demeanour 
and appearance indicated the most abject terror. 
After examining the extraordinary appearance of 
this individual, for a moment, in silent amazement, 
the lieutenant exclaimed — - 

u Who have we here ! some amateur in fights ! 
an inquisitive, wonder-seeking non-combatant, who 
has volunteered to serve his king, and perhaps 
draw a picture, or write a book, to serve himself! 
Pray, sir, in what capacity did you serve in this 
vessel ?” 

The captive ventured a sidelong glance at his 
interrogator, in whom he expected to encounter 
Griffith, but perceiving that it was a face he did 
not know, he felt a revival of confidence that ena- 
bled him to reply — 

“ I came here by accident ; being on board the 
cutter at the time her late commander determined 
to engage you. It was not in his power to land 

23 


266 


THE PILOT. 


me, as I trust you will not hesitate to do; yom 
conjecture of my being a non-combatant — ” 

u Is perfectly true,” interrupted Barnstable, 
u it requires no spy-glass to read that name writ- 
ten on you from stem to stern ; but for certain 
weighty reasons — ” 

He paused to turn at a signal given him by 
young Merry, who whispered eagerly in his ear— 
u ’Tis Mr. Dillon, kinsman of Colonel Howard ; 
I’ve seen him often, sailing in the wake of my 
cousin Cicily.” 

“ Dillon !” exclaimed Barnstable, rubbing his 
hands with pleasure ; “ what, Kit of that name ! 
he with c the Savannah face, eyes of black, and 
skin of the same colour he’s grow T n a little whitei 
with fear ; but he’s a prize, at this moment, worth 
twenty Alacritys !” 

These exclamations were made in a low voice, 
and at some little distance from the prisoner, whom 
he now approached and addressed — 

“ Policy, and consequently duty, require that 1 
should detain you for a short time, sir ; but you 
shall have a sailor’s welcome to whatever we pos- 
sess, to lessen the weight of captivity.” 

Barnstable precluded any reply, by bowing to 
his captive, and turning away, to superintend the 
management of his vessels. In a short time it was 
announced that they were ready to make sail, 
when the Ariel and her prize were brought close 
to the wind, and commenced beating slowly along 
the land, as if intending to return to the bay whence 
the latter had sailed that morning. As they stretch- 
ed into the shore, on the first tack, the soldiers on 
the cliffs rent the air with their shouts and accla- 
mations, to which Barnstable, pointing to the as- 
sumed symbols that were fluttering in the breeze 
from his masts, directed his crew to respond in the 


THE PILOT. 


267 


most cordial manner As the distance, and the 
want of boats, prevented any further communica- 
tion, the soldiers, after gazing at the receding ves- 
sels for a time, disappeared from the cliffs, and 
were soon lost from the sight of the adventurous 
mariners. Hour after hour was consumed in the 
tedious navigation, against an adverse tide, and the 
short day was drawing to a close, before they ap- 
proached the mouth of their destined haven. While 
making one of their numerous stretches, to and 
from the land, the cutter, in which Barnstable con- 
tinued, passed the victim of their morning’s sport, 
riding on the water, the waves curling over his 
huge carcass as on some rounded rock, and already 
surrounded by the sharks, who were preying on 
his defenceless body. 

u See ! Master Coffin,” cried the lieutenant, 
pointing out the object to his cockswain as they 
glided by it, “ the shovel-nosed gentlemen are re- 
galing daintily ; you have neglected the Christian’s 
duty of burying your dead.” 

The old seaman cast a melancholy look at the 
dead whale, and replied, 

a If I had the creatur in Boston Bay, or on the 
Sandy Point of Munny-Moy, ’twould be the making 
of me ! But riches and honour are for the grea. 
and the larned, and there’s nothing left for poor 
Tom Coffin to do, but to veer and haul on his own 
rolling-tackle, that he may ride out the rest of the 
gale of life, without springing any of his old spars.” 
a How now, long Tom !” cried his officer, 
u these rocks and cliffs will shipwreck you on the 
shoals of poetry yet ; you grow sentimental !” 
u Them rocks might wrack any vessel that 
struck them,” said the literal cockswain ; (C and as 
for poetry, I wants none better than the good old 
song of Captain Kid ; but it’s enough to raise so- 


268 


THE iiLOT. 


lemn thoughts in a Cape Poge Indian, to see an 
eighty barrel whale devoured by shirks — ’tis an 
awful waste of property ! I’ve seen the death of 
two hundred of the creaturs, though it seems to 
keep the rations of poor old long Tom as short as 
ever.” 

The cockswain walked aft, while the vessel was 
passing the whale, and seating himself on the taf- 
frail, with his face resting gloomily on his bony 
hand, he fastened his eyes on the object of his so- 
licitude, and continued to gaze at it with melan- 
choly regret, while it was to be seen glistening in 
the sunbeams, as it rolled its glittering side of white 
into the air, or the rays fell unrefiected on the 
black and rougher coat of the back of the monster. 
In the mean time, the navigators diligently pur- 
sued their way for the haven we have mentioned, 
into which they steered with every appearance of 
the fearlessness of friends, and the exultation of 
conquerors. 

A few eager and gratified spectators lined the 
edges of the small bay, and Barnstable concluded 
his arrangement for deceiving the enemy, by ad- 
monishing his crew, that they were now about to 
enter on a service that would require their utmost 
intrepidity and sagacity. 


CHAPTER XYHI. 


u Our trumpet called you to this gentle parle.* 

King John . 

As Griffith and his companions rushed ti*om 
the offices of St. Ruth, into the open air, they 
encountered no one to intercept their flight, or 
communicate the alarm. Warned by the expe- 
rience of the earlier part of the same night, they 
avoided the points where they knew the sentinels 
were posted, though fully prepared to bear down 
all resistance, and were soon beyond the proba- 
bility of immediate detection. They proceeded, 
for the distance of half a mile, with rapid strides, 
and with the stern and sullen silence of men w T ho 
expected to encounter immediate danger, resol- 
ved to breast it with desperate resolution ; but, as 
they plunged into a copse, that clustered around 
the ruin which has been already mentioned, they 
lessened their exertions to a more deliberate pace, 
and a short but guarded dialogue ensued. 

“We have had a timely escape,” said Grif- 
fith ; “ I would much rather have endured cap- 
tivity than have been the cause of introducing 


270 


THE PILOT. 


confusion and bloodshed into the peaceful resi- 
dence of Colonel Howard.” 

u I would, sir, that you had been of this 
opinion some hours earlier,” returned the pilot, 
with a severity in his tones that even conveyed 
more meaning than his words. 

“ I may have forgotten my duty, sir, m my 
anxiety to inquire into the condition of a family 
in whom I feel a particular interest,” returned 
Griffith, in a manner in which pride evidently 
struggled with respect ; “ but this is not a time 
for regrets ; I apprehend that we follow you on an 
errand of some moment, where actions would be 
more acceptable than any words of apology. What 
is your pleasure now ?” 

“ I much fear that our project will be defeated,” 
said the pilot, gloomily ; u the alarm will spread 
with the morning fogs, and there will be muster- 
mgs of the yeomen, and consultations of the gen- 
try, that will drive all thoughts of amusement from 
their minds. The rumour of a descent will, at 
any time, force sleep from the shores of this island, 
to at least ten leagues inland.” 

u Ay, you have probably passed some pleasant 
nights, with your eyes open, among them, your 
self, Master Pilot,” said Manual ; “ they may 
thank the Frenchman, Thurot, in the old business 
of ’56, and our own dare-devil, the bloody Scotch- 
man, as the causes of their quarters being so often 
beaten up. After all, Thurot, with his fleet, did 
no more than bully them a little, and the poor fel- 
low was finally extinguished by a few small crui- 
sers, like a drummer’s boy under a grenadier’s 
cap ; but honest Paul sung a different tune for his 
countrymen to dance to, and — ” 

u I believe you will shortly dance yourself, Ma- 
nual,” interrupted Griffith, quickly u and in very 


THE PILOT. 


271 


pleasure that you have escaped an English pri- 
son.” " 

u Say, rather, an English gibbet,” continued the 
elated marine ; u for had a court-martial or a 
court-civil discussed the manner of our entrance 
into this island, I doubt whether we should have 
fared better than the dare-devil himself, honest — ” 
u Pshaw !” exclaimed the impatient Griffith, 
4C enough of this nonsense, Capt. Manual : we have 
other matters to discuss now’ ; — what course have 
you determined to pursue, Mr. Gray ?” 

The pilot started, like a man aroused from a 
deep musing at this question, and after a pause of 
a moment, he spoke in a low tone of voice, as if 
still under the influence of deep and melancholy 
feeling — 

u The night has already run into the morning 
watch, but the sun is backward to show himself in 
this latitude in the heart of winter — I must depart, 
my friends, to rejoin you some ten hours hence ; it 
will be necessary to look deeper into our scheme 
before we hazard any thing, and no one can do 
the service but myself — where shall we meet 
again ?” 

“ I have reason to think that there is an unfre- 
quented ruin, at no great distance from us,” said 
Griffith ; a perhaps we might find both shelter and 
privacy among its deserted walls.” 

cc The thought is good,” returned the pilot, u and 
Twill answer a double purpose. Could you find 
the place where you put the marines in ambush 
Captain Manual ?” 

“ Has a dog a nose ! and can he follow a clean 
scent !” exclaimed the marine ; cc do you think 
Signior Pilota, that a general ever puts his forces 
in an ambuscade where he can’t find them him- 
self? ’Fore God ! I knew well enough where the 


272 


THE PILOT. 


rascals lay snoring on their knapsacks, some half- 
an-hour ago, and I would have given the oldest 
majority in Washington^ army to have had them 
where a small intimation from myself could have 
brought them in line ready dressed for a charge. I 
know not how you fared, gentlemen, but with me, 
the sight of twenty such vagabonds would have 
been a joyous spectacle ; we would have tossed 
that Captain BorroughclifFe and his recruits on the 
point of our bayonets, as the devil would pitch — 
u Come, come, Manual , 55 said Griffith, a little 
angrily, u you constantly forget our situation and 
our errand ; can you lead your men hither without 
discovery, before the day dawns ? 55 

u I want but the shortest half-hour that a bad 
watch ever travelled over to do it in . 5 

u Then follow, and I will appoint a place of 
secret rendezvous , 55 rejoined Griffith ; Mr. Gray 
can learn our situation at the same time . 55 

The pilot was seen to beckon, through the 
gloom of the night, for his companions to move 
forward, when they proceeded, with cautious steps, 
in quest of the desired shelter. A short search 
brought them in contact with a part of the ruinous 
walls which spread over a large surface, and which, 
in places, reared their black fragments against the 
sky, casting a deeper obscurity across the secret 
recesses of the wood. 

“ This will do , 55 said Griffith, when they had 
skirted for some distance the outline of the crum- 
bling fabric ; “ bring up your men to this point, 
where I will meet you, and conduct them to some 
more secret place, for which I shall search during 
ycmr absence. 

u A perfect paradise, after the cable-tiers of the 
Ariel ! 55 exclaimed Manual ; a I doubt not but a 
good spot might be selected among these trees for 


THE PILOT. 


273 


a steady drill ; a thing my soul has pined after for 
six long months.” 

u Away, away !” cried Griffith ; u here is no place 
for idle parades ; if we find shelter from discove- 
ry and capture until you shall be needed in a dead- 
ly struggle, ’twill be well.” 

Manual was slowly .retracing his steps to the 
skirts of the wood, when he suddenly turned, and 
asked — 

“ Shall I post a small picket, a mere corporal’s 
guard, in the open ground in front, and make a 
chain of sentinels to our works ?” 

“ We have no works — we want no sentinels,” 
returned his impatient commander ; “ our securi- 
ty is only to be found in secrecy. Lead up youi 
men under the cover of the trees, and let those 
three bright stars be your landmarks — bring them 
in a range with the northern corner of the wood — ” 
“ Enough, Mr. Griffith,” interrupted Manual, 
u a column of troops is not to be steered like a 
ship, by compass, and bearings and distances ; — 
trust me, sir, the march shall be conducted with 
proper discretion, though in a military manner.” 
Any reply or expostulation was prevented by 
the sudden disappearance of the marine, whose 
retreating footsteps were heard for several mo- 
ments, as he moved at a deliberate pace through 
the underwood. During this short interval, the 
pilot stood reclining against a corner of the ruins in 
profound silence, but when the sounds of Manual’s 
march were no longer audible, he advanced from 
under the deeper shadows of the wall, and ap- 
proached his youthful companion. 

“We are indebted to the marine for our es- 
cape,” he said ; “ I hope we are not to sutler by his 
folly.” 

“ He is what Barnstable calls a rectangular 


274 


the pilot. 


man,” returned Griffith, “ and will have his way 
in matters of his profession, though a daring corn- 
panion in a hazardous expedition. If we can keep 
him from exposing us by his silly parade, we shall 
find him a man who w ill do his w ork like a soldier, 
sir, when need happens.” 

“’Tisall I ask; until the last moment he and 
his command must be torpid ; for if we are dis- 
covered, any attempt of ours, with some tw r enty 
bayonets and a half-pike or tw 7 o, w r ould be useless 
against the force that would be brought to crush 
us.” 

(< The truth of your opinion is too obvious,” 
returned Griffith ; u these fellows will sleep a 
week at a time in a gale at sea, but the smell of 
the land wakes them up, and I fear ’twill be hard 
to keep them close during the day.” 

“It must be done, sir, by the strong hand of 
force,” said the pilot, sternly, u if it cannot be done 
by admonition ; if w r e had no more than the re- 
cruits of that drunken martinet to cope w T ith, it 
w r ould be no hard task to drive them into the sea; 
but I learned in my prison that horse are expected 
on the shore with the dawn ; there is one they 
call Dillon who is on the alert to do us mischief.” 

“ The miscreant !” muttered Griffith ; u then 
you also have had communion, sir, with some of 
the inmates of St. Ruth ?” 

u It behooves a man who is embarked m a pe- 
rilous enterprise to seize all opportunities to learn 
his hazard,” said the pilot, evasively ; u if the re- 
port be true, I fear we have but little hopes of suc- 
ceeding in our plans.” 

“ Nay, then, let us take the advantage of the 
darkness to regain the schooner ; the coasts of 
England swarm with hostile cruisers, and a rich 
trade is flowing into the bosom of tiiis island 


THE PILOT. 


275 


from the four quarters of the world ; we shall 
not seek long for a foe worthy to contend with, 
nor for the opportunities to cut up the Englishman 
in his sinews of war — his wealth.” 

“ Griffith,” returned the pilot in his still, low 
tones, that seemed to belong to a man who never 
knew ambition, nor felt human passion, u I grow 
sick of this struggle between merit and privileged 
rank. It is in vain that I scour the waters which 
the King of England boastingly calls his own, 
and capture his vessels in the very mouths of his 
harbours, if my reward is to consist only of vio- 
lated promises, and hollow professions : but your 
proposition is useless to me ; I have at length ob- 
tained a ship of a size sufficient to convey my 
person to the shores of honest, plain-dealing Ame- 
rica, and I would enter the hall of congress, on 
my return, attended by a few of the legislators of 
this learned isle, who think they possess the ex- 
clusive privilege to be wise, and virtuous, and 
great.” 

“ Such a retinue might doubtless be grateful 
both to your own feelings and those who would 
receive you,” said Griffith, modestly ; u but would 
it affect the great purposes of our struggle, or is it 
an exploit, when achieved, worth the hazard you 
incur ? 

Griffith felt the hand of the pilot on his own, 
pressing it with a convulsive grasp, as he replied, 
in a voice, if possible, even more desperately calm 
than his former tones — 

a There is glory in it, young man ; if it be 
purchased with danger, it shall be rewarded by 
fame ! It is true, I wear your republican livery, 
and call the Americans my brothers, but it is be- 
cause you combat in behalf of human nature. 
Were your cause less holy, I would not shed the 


276 


THE PILOT. 


meanest drop that flows in English veins to serve 
it ; but now, it hallows every exploit that is under- 
taken in its favour, and the names of all who con- 
tend for it shall belong to posterity. Is there no 
merit in teaching these proud islanders that the 
arm of liberty can pluck them from the very em- 
pire of their corruption and oppression ?” 

44 Then let me go and ascertain what we most 
wish to know; you have been seen there, and 
might attract — ” 

44 You little know me,” interrupted the pilot ; 
44 the deed is my own. If I succeed, I shall claim 
the honour, and it is proper that I incur the ha- 
zard ; if I fail, it will be buried in oblivion, like 
fifty others of my schemes, which, had I power 
to back me, would have thrown this kingdom 
in consternation, from the look-outs on the bold- 
est of its headlands, to those on the turrets of 
Windsor- Castle. But I was born without the no- 
bility of twenty generations to corrupt my blood 
and deaden my soul, and am not trusted by the 
degenerate wretches who rule the French ma- 
rine;” 

445 Tis said that ships of two decks are building 
from our own oak,” said Griffith ; 44 and you have 
only to present yourself in America, to be employ- 
ed most honourably.” 

44 Ay ! the republics cannot doubt the man 
who has supported their flag, without lowering it 
an inch, in so many bloody conflicts ! I do go 
there, Griffith, but my way lies on this path ; my 
pretended friends have bound my hands often, 
but my enemies, never— neither shall they now. 
Ten hours will determine all I wish to know, and 
with you I trust the safety of the party till my re- 
turn ; be vigilant, but be prudent.” 

44 If you should not appear at the appointe 


THE PILOT. 


217 

hour, 5 ’ exclaimed Griffith, as he held the pilot 
turning to depart, u where am I to seek, and how 
serve you ?” 

u Seek me not, but return to your vessel ; my 
earliest years were passed on this coast, and I 
can leave the island, should it be necessary, as I 
entered it, aided by this disguise and my own 
knowledge ; in such an event, look to your charge, 
and forget me entirely.” 

Griffith could distinguish the silent wave of his 
hand when the pilot concluded, and the next in- 
stant he was left alone. For several minutes the 
young man continued where lie had been stand- 
ing, musing on the singular endowments and 
restless enterprise of the being with whom chance 
had thus unexpectedly brought him in contact, 
and with whose fate and fortune his own prospects 
had, by the intervention of unlooked-for circum- 
stances, become intimately connected. When the 
reflections excited by recent occurrences had pass- 
ed away, he entered within the sweeping circle of 
the ruinous walls, and after a very cursory sur- 
vey of the state of the dilapidated building, he 
was satisfied that it contained enough secret 
places to conceal his men, until the return of 
the pilot should warn them that the hour had 
come when they must attempt the seizure of the 
devoted sportsmen, or darkness should again fa- 
cilitate their return to the Ariel. It was now 
about the commencement of that period of deep 
night, which seamen distinguish as the morning 
watch, and Griffith ventured to the edge of the 
little wood, to listen if any sounds or tumult in- 
dicated that they were pursued. On reaching a 
point where his eye could faintly distinguish dis- 
tant objects, the young man paused, and bestowed 

24 


278 


THE PILOT. 


a close and wary investigation on the surrounding 
scene. 

The fury of the gale had sensibly abated, but 
a steady current of sea air was rushing through 
the naked branches of the oaks, lending a dreary 
and mournful sound to the gloom of the dim pros- 
pect. At the distance of a short half mile, the 
confused outline of the pile of St. Ruth rose 
proudly against the streak of light which was gra- 
dually increasing above the ocean, and there were 
moments when the young seaman even fancied he 
could discern the bright caps that topped the 
waves of his own disturbed element. The long, 
dull roar of the surf, as it tumbled heavily on the 
beach, or dashed with unbroken violence against 
the hard boundary of rocks, was borne along by 
the blasts distinctly to his ears. It was a time 
and a situation to cause the young seaman to 
ponder deeply on the changes and chances of his 
hazardous profession. Only a few short hours 
had passed since he was striving with his utmost 
skill, and with all his collected energy, to guide 
the enormous fabric, in which so many of his 
comrades were now quietly sleeping on the broac. 
ocean, from that very shore on which he now stood 
in cool indifference to the danger. The re 
collection of home, America, his youthful and 
enduring passion, and the character and charms 
of his mistress, blended in a sort of wild and fe- 
verish confusion, which was not, however, without 
its pleasures, in the ardent fancy of the young 
man, and he was slowly approaching, step by 
step, towards the abbey, when the sound of foot- 
steps, proceeding evidently from the measured 
tread of disciplined men, reached his ears. He 
was instantly recalled to his recollection by this 


THE PILOT. 


279 


noise, which increased as the party deliberately 
approached, and in a few moments he was able 
to distinguish a line of men, marching in order to- 
wards the edge of the wood, from which he had 
himself so recently issued. Retiring rapidly under 
the deeper shadow of the trees, he waited until it 
was apparent the party intended to enter under its 
cover also, when he ventured to speak — 

“ Who comes, and on what errand ?” he cried. 

“ A skulker, and to burrow like a rabbit, or 
jump from hole to hole, like a wharf-rat !” said 
Manual, sulkily ; a here have I been marching, 
within half-musket shot of the enemy, without 
daring to pull a trigger even on their out-posts, 
because our muzzles are plugged with that uni- 
versal extinguisher of gunpowder, called prudence. 
’Fore God ! Mr. Griffith, I hope you may never 
feel the temptation to do an evil deed, which I felt 
just now’ to throw a volley of small shot into that 
dog-kennel of a place, if it were only to break its 
windows and let in the night air upon the sleeping 
sot, who is dozing away the fumes of some as good, 
old, south-side — harkye, Mr. Griffith, one word in 
your ear.” 

A short conference took place between the two 
officers, apart from the men, at the close of which, 
as they rejoined the party, Manual might be heard 
urging his plans on the reluctant ears of Griffith, 
in the following words : — 

u I could carry the old dungeon without waking 
one of the snorers ; and consider, sir, we might get 
a stock of as rich cordial from its cellars as ever 
oiled the throat of a gentleman !” 

“ ’Tis idle, ’tis idle,” said Griffith, impatiently ; 
u we are not robbers of hen-roosts, nor wine-gau- 
gers, to be prying into the vaults of the English 
gentry, Captain Manual, but honourable men^ 


280 


THE PILOT. 


employed in the sacred cause of liberty and our 
country. Lead your party into the ruin, and let 
them seek their rest ; we may have work for them 
with the dawn. 5 ’ 

“ Evil was the hour when I quitted the line of 
the army, to place a soldier under the orders of 
an awkward squad of tarry jackets ! 55 muttered 
Manual, as he proceeded to execute an order that 
was delivered with an air of authority that he knew 
must be obeyed. “ As pretty an opportunity for 
a surprise and a forage thrown away, as ever 
crossed the path of a partisan ! but, by all the 
rights of man ! I’ll have an encampment in some 
order. Here, you serjeant, detail a corporal and 
three men for a picket, and station them in the 
skirts of this wood. We shall have a sentinel in 
advance of our position, and things shall be con- 
ducted with some air of discipline. 5 ’ 

Griffith heard this order with great inward dis- 
gust ; but as he anticipated the return of the pilot 
before the light could arrive to render this weak 
exposure of their situation apparent, he forbore 
exercising his power to alter the arrangement. 
Manual had, therefore, the satisfaction of seeing 
his little party quartered as he thought in a mili- 
tary manner, before he retired with Griffith and 
his men into one of the vaulted apartments of the 
ruin, which, by its open and broken doors, invited 
their entrance. Here the marines disposed them- 
selves to rest, while the two officers succeeded in 
passing the tedious hours, without losing their 
characters for watchfulness, by conversing with 
each other, or, at whiles, suffering their thoughts 
to roam in the very different fields which fancy 
would exhibit to men of such differing characters. 
In this manner, hour after hour passed, in listless 
quiet) or sullen expectation, until the day had gra- 


THE PILOT. 


281 


dually advanced, and it became dangerous to 
keep the sentinels and picket in a situation, where 
they were liable to be seen by any straggler 
who might be passing near the wood. Manual 
remonstrated against any alteration, as being en- 
tirely unmilitary, for he was apt to carry his no- 
tions of tactics to extremes whenever he came in 
collision with a sea-officer; but in this instance 
his superior was firm, and the only concession 
the captain could obtain was the permission to 
place a solitary sentinel within a few feet of the 
vault, though under the cover of the crumbling 
walls of the building itself. With this slight devia- 
tion in their arrangements, the uneasy party re- 
mained for sever.il hours longer, impatiently await- 
ing the period when they should be required to 
move. 

The guns first fired from the Alacrity had been 
distinctly audible, and were pronounced by Grif- 
fith, whose practised ear detected the metal of the 
piece that was used, as not proceeding from the 
schooner. When the rapid though distant rumbling 
)f the spirited cannonade became audible, it was 
vvith difficulty that Griffith could restrain either his 
3wn feelings or the conduct of his companions within 
hose bounds that prudence and their situation re- 
quired. The last gun was, however, fired, and not 
a man had left the vault, and conjectures as to the 
result of the fight, succeeded to those which had 
been made on the character of the combatants dur- 
ing the action. Some of the marines would raise 
their heads from the fragments which served them 
as the pillows on which they were seeking dis- 
turbed and stolen slumbers, and after listening 
to the cannon, would again compose themselves 
to sleep, like men who felt no concern in a contest 
in which they did not participate. Others, more 

24 * 


282 


THE PILOT 


alive to events, and less drowsy, lavishly expended 
their rude jokes on those who were engaged in the 
struggle, or listened with a curious interest to 
mark the progress of the battle, by the uncertain 
index of its noise. When the fight had been some 
time concluded, Manual indulged his ill-humour 
more at length — 

“ There has been a party of pleasure, within a 
league of us, Mr. Griffith,” he said, u at which, but 
for our present subterraneous quarters, we might 
have been guests, and thus laid some claim to the 
honour of sharing in the victory. But it is not too 
late to push the party on as far as the cliffs, where 
we shall be in sight of the vessels, and we may 
possibly establish a claim to our share of the prize- 
money.” 

u There is but little wealth to be gleaned from 
the capture of a king’s cutter,” returned Griffith, 
u and there would be less honour were Barnstable 
encumbered with our additional and useless num- 
bers.” 

“ Useless !” repeated Manual ; u there is much 
good service to be got out of twenty-three well- 
drilled and well-chosen marines ; look at those 
fellows, Mr. Griffith, and then tell me if you 
would think them an encumbrance in the hour of 
need ?” 

Griffith smiled and glanced his eye over the sleep- 
ing group, for when the firing had ceased the whole 
party had again sought their repose, and he could 
not help admiring the athletic and sinewy limbs that 
lay r scattered around the gloomy vault, in every 
posture that ease or whim dictated. From the 
stout frames of the men, his glance was directed 
to the stack of fire-arms, from whose glittering 
tubes and polished bayonets, strong rays of light 
were reflected, even in that dark apartment. Ma*- 


THE PILOT. 


283 


nual followed the direction of his eyes, and 
watched the expression of his countenance, with 
inward exultation, but he had the forbearance to 
await his reply before he manifested his feelings 
more openly 

u I know them to be true men,” said Griffith, 
“ when needed, but — hark ! what says he ?” 

u Who goes there ? what noise is that ?” re 
peated the sentinel who was placed at the entrance 
of the vault. 

Manual and Griffith sprang at the same instant 
from their places of rest, and stood, unwilling to 
create the slightest sounds, listening with the most 
intense anxiety to catch the next indications of the 
cause of their guardian’s alarm. A short still- 
ness, like that of death, succeeded, during which 
Griffith whispered — 

u ’Tis the pilot ; his hour has been long passed.” 

The words were hardly spoken, when the clash- 
ing of steel in fierce and sudden contact was 
heard, and at the next instant the body of the sen- 
tinel fell heavily along the stone steps that led to 
the open air, and rolled lifelessly to their feet, with 
the bayonet that had caused his death, projecting 
from a deep wound in his breast. 

“ Away, away ! sleepers away !” shouted Grii 
fith. 

“ To arms!” cried Manual, in a voice of thun 
der. 

The alarmed marines, suddenly aroused from 
their slumbers at these thrilling cries, sprang on 
their feet in a confused cluster, and at that fatal 
moment a body of living fire darted into the vault, 
which re-echoed with the reports of twenty mus- 
kets. The uproar, the smoke, and the groans 
which escaped from many of his paity, could 
not restrain Griffith another instant ; his pistol 


284 


THE PILOT. 


was fired through the cloud which concealed the 
entrance of the vault, and he followed the leaden 
messenger, trailing a half-pike, and shouting to his 
men — 

“ Come on ! follow, my lads ; they are nothing 
but soldiers . 55 

Even while he spoke, the ardent young seaman 
w T as rushing up the narrow passage ; but as he 
gained the open space, his foot struck the writhing 
body of the victim of his shot, and he was precipi- 
tated headlong into a group of armed men. 

u Fire ! Manual, fire ! 5 shouted the infuriated 
prisoner ; “ fire, while you have them in a clus- 
ter . 55 

“Ay, fire, Mr. Manual , 55 sai l Borroughcliffe, 
with great coolness, “ and shoot your own officer ; 
hold him up, boys ! hold him up front ; the saf- 
est place is nighest to him . 55 

“ Fire ! 55 repeated Griffith, making desperate 
efforts to release himself from the grasp of five or 
six men ; “ fire, and disregard me . 55 

“ If he do, he deserves to be hung , 55 said Bor- 
roughcliffe ; “ such fine fellows are not sufficiently 
plenty to be shot at like wild beasts in chains. 
Take him from before the mouth of the vault, 
boys, and spread yourselves to your duty . 55 

At the time Griffith issued from the cover, Ma- 
nual was mechanically employed in placing his 
men in order, and the marines, accustomed to do 
every thing in concert and array, lost the moment 
to advance. The soldiers of Borroughcliffe re- 
loaded their muskets, and fell back behind differ- 
ent portions of the wall, where they could com- 
mand the entrance to the vault with their fire, 
without much exposure to themselves. This 
disposition was very coolly reconnoitred by Ma- 
nual in person, through some of the crevices in 


THE PILOT. 


285 


the wall, and he hesitated to advance against 
the force he beheld, while so advantageously 
posted. In this situation several shot were fired 
by either party, without effect, until Borrough- 
eliffe, perceiving the inefficacy of that mode of 
attack, summoned the garrison of the vault to a 
parley. 

“ Surrender to the forces of his Majesty, King 
George the Third,” he cried, a and I promise you 
quarter.” 

u Will you release your prisoner, and give us 
free passage to our vessels ?” asked Manual ; u the 
garrison to march out with all the honours of war, 
and officers to retain tneir side-arms ?” 

u Inadmissible,” returned Borroughcliffe, with 
great gravity ; “ the honour of his majesty’s arms, 
and the welfare of the realm, forbid such a trea- 
ty ; but I offer you safe quarter, and honourable 
treatment.” 

“ Officers to retain their side-arms, your pri- 
soner to be released, and the whole party to re- 
turn to America, on parole, not to serve until ex- 
changed ?” 

u Not granted,” said Borroughcliffe. u The 
most that I can yield, is a good potation of the 
generous south-side ; and if you are the man I 
take you for, you will know how to prize such an 
offer.” 

“ In what capacity do you summon us to yield ? 
as men entitled to the benefit of the laws of arms, 
or as rebels to your king ?” 

“ Ye are rebels all, gentlemen,” returned the 
deliberate Borroughcliffe, u and as such ye must 
yield ; though so far as good treatment and good 
fare goes, you are sure of it while in my power : 
in all other respects you lie at the mercy of his 
most gracious majesty” — 


286 


THE PILOT. 


a Then let his majesty show his gracious face, 

and come and take us, for Pll be 33 

The asseveration of the marine was interrupted 
by Griffith, whose blood had sensibly cooled, and 
whose generous feelings were awakened in behalf 
of his comrades, now that his own fate seemed de- 
cided. 

u Hold, Manual, 3 ’ he cried, “ make no rash 
oaths ; Captain Borroughcliffe, I am Edward Grif- 
fith, a lieutenant in the navy of the United Ame- 
rican States, and I pledge you my honour, to a 
parole — 33 

u Release him , 33 said Borroughcliffe. 

Griffith advanced between the two parties, and 
spoke so as to be heard by both — 

“ I propose to descend to the vault and ascer- 
tain the loss and present strength of Captain Ma- 
nual’s party ; if the latter be not greater than I 
apprehend, I shall advise him to a surrender on 
the usual conditions of civilized nations . 33 

“ Go , 33 said the soldier ; “ but stay ; is he a 
half-and-half — an amphibious — pshaw ! I mean a 
marine ?” 

a He is, sir, a captain in that corps — 33 
u The very man , 33 interrupted Borroughcliffe ; 
a I thought I recollected the liquid sounds of his 
voice. It will be well to speak to him of the good 
fare of St. Ruth ; and you may add, that I know 
my man ; I shall besiege instead of storming him, 
with the certainty of a surrender when his can- 
teen is empty. The vault he is in holds no such 
beverage as the cellars of the abbey . 33 

Griffith smiled, in spite of the occasion and his 
vexation, and making a slight inclination of his 
head, he passed into the vault, giving notice to his 
friends, by his voice, in order to apprise them who 
approached. 


THE PILOT. 


287 


He found six of the marines, including the 
sentinel, lying dead on the ragged pavement, and 
four others wounded, but stifling their groans, by 
the order of their commander, that they might not 
inform the enemy of his weakness. With the re- 
mainder of his command Manual had intrenched 
himself behind the fragment of a wall that inter- 
sected the vault, and regardless of the dismaying 
objects before him, maintained as bold a front, 
and as momentous an air, as if the fate of a 
walled town depended on his resolution and inge- 
nuity. 

“ You see, Mr. Griffith,” he cried, when the 
young sailor approached this gloomy but really 
formidable arrangement, u that nothing short of 
artillery can dislodge me ; as for that drinking 
Englishman above, let him send down his men by 
platoons of eight or ten, and I’ll pile them up on 
those steps, four and five deep.” 

u But artillery can and will be brought, if it 
should be necessary,” said Griffith, u and there 
is not the least chance of your eventual escape : 
it may be possible for you to destroy a few of the 
enemy, but you are too humane to wish to do it 
unnecessarily.” 

“ No doubt,” returned Manual with a grim 
smile ; u and yet methinks I could find present 
pleasure in shooting seven of them — yes, just 
seven, which is one more than they have struck 
off my roster.” 

a Remember your own wounded,” added Grif- 
fith ; “ they suffer for want of aid, while you pro- 
tract a useless defence.” 

A few smothered groans, from the sufferers, se- 
conded this appeal, and Manual yielded, though 
with a very ill grace, to the necessity of the case 
u Go, then, and tell him that we will surrender 


288 


THE PILOT. 


as prisoners of war, 5 ’ he said, “ on the conditions 
that he grants me my side-arms, and that suitable 
care shall be taken of the sick — be particular to 
call them sick — for some lucky accident may yet 
occur before the compact is ratified, and I would 
not have him learn our loss.” 

Griffith, without waiting for a second bidding, 
hastened to Borroughcliffe with his intelligence. 

“ His side-arms !” repeated the soldier, when 
the other had done ; u what are they, I pray thee, 
a marlingspike ! for if his equipments be no better 
than thine own, my worthy prisoner, there is little 
need to quarrel about their ownership.” 

u Had I but ten of my meanest men, armed 
with such half-pikes, and Captain Borroughcliffe 
with his party were put at deadly strife with us,” 
retorted Griffith, “ he might find occasion to value 
our weapons more highly.” 

u Four such fiery gentlemen as yourself would 
have routed my command,” returned Borrough- 
cliffe, with undisturbed composure. “ I trembled 
for my ranks when I saw you coming out of the 
smoke like a blazing comet from behind a cloud ! 
and I shall never think of somersets without re- 
turning inw T ard thanks to their inventor. But our 
treaty is made ; let your comrades come forth and 
pile their arms.” 

Griffith communicated the result to the captain 
of marines, when the latter led the remnant of his 
party out of his sunken fortress into the open air. 

The men, who had manifested throughout the 
whole business that cool subordination and un- 
yielding front, mixed with the dauntless spirit that 
to this day distinguishes the corps of which they 
were members, followed their commander in sullen 
silence, and stacked their arms, with as much re- 
gularity and precision as if they had been ordered 


THE PILOT. 


289 


to relieve themselves after a march. When this 
necessary preliminary had been observed, Bor- 
roughcliffe unmasked his forces, and our adventu- 
rers found themselves once more in the power of 
the enemy, and under circumstances which ren- 
dered the prospects of a speedy release from their 
captivity nearly hopeless.” 

25 


CHAPTER XIX. 


u If your Father will do me any honour, so ; 

If not, let him kill the next Percy himself ; 

I look to bo either Earl or Duke, I can assure you.” 

Fulstcjf. 


Manual cast sundry discontented and sullen 
looks from his captors to the remnant of his own 
command, while the process of pinioning the lat- 
ter was conducted, with much discretion, under 
the directions of Sergeant Drill, when meeting, m 
one of his dissatisfied glances, with the pale and 
disturbed features of Griffith, he gave vent to his 
ill-humour, by saying — 

“ This results from neglecting the precautions 
of military discipline. Had the command been 
with me, who, I may say, without boasting, have 
been accustomed to the duties of the field, proper 
pickets wxmld have been posted, and instead of 
being caught like so many rabbits in a burrow, to 
be smoked out with brimstone, we should have had 
an open field for the struggle, or we might have 
possessed ourselves of these walls, which I could 
have made good for two hours at least, against 
the best regiment that ever wore King George’s 
facings.” 

u Defend the outworks before retreating to the 
citadel !” cried BorroughclifFe ; u ’tis the game of 
war, and shows science ; but had you kept closer 
to vour burrow, the rabbits might now have all 


THE PILOT. 


291 


been frisking about in that pleasant abode. The 
eyes of a timid hind were greeted this morning, 
while journeying near this wood, with a passing 
sight of armed men, in strange attire ; and as he 
fled, with an intent of casting himself into the sea, 
as fear will sometimes urge one of his kind to do, 
he luckily encountered me on the cliffs, who hu- 
manely saved his life, by compelling him to con- 
duct us hither. There is often wisdom in science, 
my worthy contemporary in arms, but there is 
sometimes safety in ignorance.” 

“You have succeeded, and have aright 
to be pleasant,” said Manual, seating himself 
gloomily on a fragment of the ruin, and fastening 
his looks on the melancholy spectacle of the life- 
less bodies, as they were successively brought 
from the vault and placed at his feet ; “ but these 
men have been my own children, and you will 
excuse me if I cannot retort your pleasantries 
Ah ! Captain Borroughclrffe, you are a soldier, 
and know how to value merit. I took those verv 
fellows, who sleep on these stones so quietly, from 
the hands of nature, and made them the pride of 
our art. They were no longer men, but brave 
lads, who ate and drank, wheeled and marched, 
loaded and fired, laughed or were sorrowful, 
spoke or w^ere silent, only at my will. As for 
soul, there was but one among them all, and that 
was in my keeping ! Groan, my children, groan 
freely now^ ; there is no longer a reason to be si- 
lent. I have knowm a single musket-bullet cut 
the buttons from the coats of five of them in a 
rowq without raising the skin of a man ! 1 could 
ever calculate, with certainty, how many it would 
be necessary to expend in all regular service, but 
this accursed banditti business has robbed me of 
the choicest of my treasures. You ■ stand at ease 1 


292 


THE PILOT. 


now, my children ; groan, it will soften your an- 
guish. 55 

Borroughcliffe appeared to participate, in some 
degree, in the feelings of his captive, and he 
made a few appropriate remarks in the way of 
condolence, while he watched the preparations 
that were making by his own men to move. At 
length his orderly announced that substitutes for 
barrows were provided to sustain the wounded, 
and inquired if it were his pleasure to return to 
their quarters. 

u Who has seen the horse ?” demanded the cap- 
tain ; “ which way did they march? Have they 
gained any tidings of the discovery of this party of 
the enemy ?” 

“ Not from us, your honour,” returned the ser- 
geant ; u they had ridden along the coast before 
we left the cliffs, and it was said their officer in- 
tended to scour the shore for several miles, and 
spread the alarm. ” 

“ Let him , it is all such gay gallants are good 
for. Drill, honour is almost as scarce an article 
with our arms just now as promotion. We seem 
but the degenerate children of the heroes of Poic- 
tiers ; — you understand me, sergeant ?” 

“ Some battle fou’t by his majesty’s troops 
against the French, your honour,” returned the 
orderly, a little at a loss to comprehend the ex- 
pression of his officer’s eye. 

u Fellow, you grow dull on victory,” exclaimed 
Borroughcliffe : u come hither, I would give you 
orders. Do you think, Mister Drill, there is more 
honour, or likely to be more profit, in this little 
morning’s amusement than you and I can stand un- 


der ?” 

u I should not, your honour ; we have both 
pretty broad shoulders — ” 


THE PILOT. 


293 


u That are not weakened by undue burthens 
of this nature ;” interrupted his captain, signifi- 
cantly ; u if we let the^news of this affair reach 
the ears of those hungry dragoons, they would 
charge upon us open mouthed, like a pack of 
famished beagles, and claim at least half the credit, 
and certainly all the profit. ” 

u But, your honour, there was not a man of 
them even — ” 

u No matter, Drill ; Pve known troops that 
have been engaged, and have suffered, cheated 
out of their share of victory, by a well-worded 
despatch. You know, fellow, that in the smoke 
and confusion of a battle, a man can only see 
what passes near him, and common prudence re- 
quires that he only mention in his official letters 
what he knows can’t be easily contradicted. Thus 
your Indians, and indeed, all allies, are not enti- 
tled to the right of a general order, any more than 
to the right of a parade. Now, I dare say, you 
have heard of a certain battle of Blenheim I” 
u Lord ! your honour, ’tis the pride of the 
British army, that and the Culloden ! ’Twas when 
the great Corporal John beat the French king, 
and all his lords and nobility, with half his nation 
in arms to back him.” 

u Ay ! there is a little of the barrack readings 
in the account, but it is substantially true ; know 
you how many French were in the field, that day, 
Mister Drill?” 

u I [have never seen the totals of their muster, 
sir, in print, but judging by the difference betwixt 
the nations, I should snppose some hundreds of 
thousands.” 

u And yet, to oppose this vast army, the duke 
had only some ten or twelve thousand well-fed 
Englishmen ! You look astounded, sergeant !” 


294 


THE PILOT. 


u Why, your honour, that does seem rattier an 
over-match for an old soldier to swallow ; the ran- 
dom shot would sweep away so small a forced' 

“ And yet the battle was fought, and the victory 
won ! but the Duke of Marlborough had a certain 
Mr. Eugene, with some fifty or sixty thousand 
High-Dutchers, to back him. You never heard 
of Mr. Eugene ?” 

“ Not a syllable, your honour ; I always thought 
that Corporal John — ” 

u Was a gallant and great general ; you thought 
right, Mister Drill. So would a certain nameless 
gentleman be also, if his majesty would sign a 
commission to that effect. However, a majority 
is on the high road to a regiment, and with even 
a regiment a man is comfortable ! In plain Eng- 
lish, Mister Drill, we must get our prisoners 
into the abbey with as little noise as possible, 
in order that the horse may continue their gam- 
bols along the coast, without coming to devour our 
meal. All the fuss must be made at the war- 
office. For that trifle you may trust me; I think 
I know who holds a quill that is as good in its 
way as the sword he wears. Drill is a short 
name, and can easily be written within the folds of 
a letter.” 

“ Lord, your honour !” said the gratified halber- 
dier, “ Pm sure such an honour is more — but your 
honour can ever command me!” 

“ I do ; and it is to be close, and to make your 
men keep close, until it shall be time to speak, 
when I pledge myself there shall be noise 
enough.” Borroughcliffe shook his head, with a 
grave air, as he continued — u It has been a devil 
of a bloody fight, sergeant ! look at the dead and 
wounded ; a wood on each flank — supported by a 


THE PILOT. 


295 


ruin in the centre. Oh ! ink ! ink ! can be spilt 
on the details with great effect. Go, fellow, and 
prepare to march.” 

Thus enlightened on the subject of his com- 
mander’s ulterior views, the non-commissioned 
agent of the captain’s wishes proceeded to give 
suitable instructions to the rest of the party, and 
to make the more immediate preparations for a 
march. The arrangements were soon completed. 
The bodies of the slain were left unsheltered, the 
seclusion of the ruin being deemed a sufficient 
security against the danger of any discovery, 
until darkness should favour their removal, in 
conformity with Borroughcliffe’s plan to monopo- 
lize the glory. The wounded were placed on 
rude litters, composed of the muskets and blankets 
of the prisoners, when the conquerors and van- 
quished moved together in a compact body from 
the ruin, in such a manner as to make the former 
serve as a mask to conceal the latter from the 
curious gaze of any casual passenger. There was 
but little, indeed, to apprehend on this head, for 
the alarm and the terror, consequent on the exag- 
gerated reports that flew through the country, ef- 
fectually prevented any intruders on the usually 
quiet and retired domains of St. Ruth. 

The party was emerging from the wood, when 
the cracking of branches, and rustling of dried 
leaves, announced, however, that an interruption 
of some sort was about to occur. 

“ If it should be one of their rascally patroles !” 
exclaimed Borroughcliffe, with very obvious dis- 
pleasure ; u they trample like a regiment of ca- 
valry ! but, gentlemen, you will acknowledge 
yourselves, that we were retiring from the field of 
battle when we met the reinforcement, if it should 
prove to be such.” 


296 


THE PILOT. 


u We are not disposed, sir, to deny you the glory 
of having achieved your victory single handed,” 
said Griffith, glancing his eyes uneasily in the 
direction of the approaching sounds, expecting 
to see the pilot issue from the thicket in which he 
seemed to be entangled, instead of any detachment 
of his enemies. 

u Clear the way, Caesar !” cried a voice at no 
great distance from them ; u break through the 
accursed vines, on my right, Pompey ! — press for- 
ward, my fine fellows, or we may be too late to 
smell even the smoke of the fight.” 

u Hum !” ejaculated the captain with his phi- 
losophic indifference of manner entirely re-esta- 
blished, “ this must be a Roman legion just 
awoke from a trance of some seventeen centuries, 
and that the voice of a Centurion. We will halt, 
Mister Drill, and view the manner of an ancient 
march !” 

While the captain was yet speaking, a violent 
effort disengaged the advancing party from the 
thicket of brambles in which they had been en- 
tangled, when two blacks, each bending under a 
load of fire-arms, preceded Colonel Howard 
into the clear space where Borroughcliffe had 
halted his detachment. Some little time was ne- 
cessary to enable the veteran to arrange his dis- 
ordered dress, and to remove the perspiring effects 
of the unusual toil from his features, before he 
could observe the addition to the captain’s num~ 
bers. 

“We heard you fire,” cried the old soldiei 
making, at the same time, the most diligent appli- 
cation of his bandanna, u and I determined to aid 
you with a sortie, which, when judiciously timed, 
Has been the means of raising many a siege ; 
though, had Montcalm rested quietly within his 


THE PILOT. 


297 


walls, the plains of Abr’am might never have drunk 
his blood.” 

“ Oh ! his decision was soldierly, and according 
to all rules of war,” exclaimed Manual ; “ and had I 
followed his example, this day might have pro- 
duced a different tale !” 

u Why, who have we here !” cried the colonel 
in astonishment ; a who is it that pretends to criti 
cise battles and sieges, dressed in such a garb ?” 

“ ’Tis a dux incognitorum, my worthy host,” 
said Borroughcliffe, u which means, in our English 
language, a captain of marines in the service of the 
American Congress.” 

u What ! have you then met the enemy ! ay ! 
and by the fame of the immortal Wolfe you have 
captured them !” cried the delighted veteran. “ I 
was pressing on with a part of my garrison to your 
assistance, for I had seen that you were marching 
in this direction, and even the report of a few mus- 
kets were heard.” 

u A few !” interrupted the conqueror ; “ I know 
not what you call a few^, my gallant and ancient 
friend ; you may possibly have shot at each other 
by the week in the days of Wolfe, and Abercrom- 
bie, and Braddock, but I too have seen smart 
firing, and can hazard an opinion in such mat- 
ters. There was as pretty a roll made by fire- 
arms at the battles on the Hudson, as ever rattled 
from a drum ; it is all over, and many live to 
talk of it ; but this has been the most desperate 
affair, for the numbers, I ever was engaged in ! 
I speak always with a reference to the numbers. 
The wood is pretty well sprinkled with dead, and 
we have contrived to bring off a few of the despe- 
rately wounded with us, as you may perceive.” 
u Bless me!” exclaimed the surprised veteran, 
that such an engagement should happen within 


298 


THE PILOT. 


musket shot of the Abbey, and I know so little of 
it ! My faculties are on the wane, I fear, for the 
time has been when a single discharge would 
rouse me from the deepest sleep.” 

“ The bayonet is a silent weapon,” returned 
the composed captain, with a significant wave of 
his hand ; u ’tis the Englishman’s pride, and every 
experienced officer knows, that one thrust from it 
is worth the fire of a whole platoon.” 

“ What, did you come to the charge !” cried the 
Colonel; “by the Lord, Bonoughcliffe, my gal- 
lant young friend, I would have given twenty 
tierces of rice, and two able-bodied negroes, to 
have seen the fray 1” 

“ It would have been a pleasant spectacle to 
witness, sans disputation,” returned the captain ; 
u but \ictory is ours without the presence of 
Achilles, this time. I have them, all that survive 
the affair ; at least, all that have put foot on Eng- 
lish soil.” 

“ Ay ! and the king’s cutter has brought in the 
schooner !” added Colonel Howard. “ Thus pe- 
rish all rebellion for evermore ! Where’s Kit ? my 
kinsman Mr. Christopher Dillon ? I would ask 
him what the laws of the realm next prescribe to 
loyal subjects. Here will be work for the jurors 
of Middlesex, Captain Borroughcliffe, if not for 
a secretary of state’s warrant. Where is Kit, 
my kinsman ; the ductile, the sagacious, the loyal 
Christopher ?” 

“ The Cacique i non est,’ as more than one 
bailiff has said of sundry clever fellows in our re- 
giment, when there has been a pressing occasion 
for tlieir appearance,” said the soldier ; “ but the 
cornet of horse has given me reason to believe that 
his provincial lordship, who repaired on board the 
cutter to give intelligence of the position of the 


THE PILOT. 


299 


enemy, continued there to share the dangers and 
honours of the naval combat.” 

“ Ay, ’tis like him !” cried the colonel, rubbing 
his hands with glee ; u ’tis like him ! he has for- 
gotten the law and his peaceful occupations, at 
the sounds of military preparation, and has carried 
the head of a statesman into the fight, with the ar- 
dour and thoughtlessness of a boy.” 

“ The Cacique is a man of discretion,” ob- 
served the captain, with all his usual dryness of 
manner, u and will doubtless recollect his obliga- 
tions to posterity and himself, though he be found 
entangled in the mazes of a combat. But I mar- 
vel that he does not return, for some time has now 
elapsed since the schooner struck her flag, as my 
own eyes have witnessed.” 

“You will pardon me, gentlemen,” said Grif 
fith, advancing towards them with uncontrollable 
interest ; “ but 1 have unavoidably heard part of 
your discourse, and cannot think you will find it 
necessary to withhold the whole truth from a dis- 
armed captive ; say you that a schooner has been 
captured this morning ?” 

“ It is assuredly true,” said Borr-ughclifle, 
with a display of nature and delicacy in his man- 
ner that did his heart infinite credit ; “ but I for- 
bore to tell you, because I thought your own 
misfortunes would be enough for one time. Mr. 
Griffith, this gentleman is Colonel Howard, to 
whose hospitality you will be indebted for some 
favours before we separate.” 

“ Griffith !” echoed the colonel, in quick reply, 
“ Griffith ! what a sight for my old eyes to wit- 
ness !— the child of worthy, gallant, loyal Hugh 
Griffith a captive, and taken in arms against his 
prince ! Young man, young man, what would 
thy honest father, what would his bosom friend, 


300 


THE PILOT. 


mj own poor brother Harry, have said, had it 
pleased God that they had survived to witness 
this burning shame and lasting stigma on thy re- 
spectable name ?” 

u Had my father lived, he would now have been 
upholding the independence of his native land,” 
said the young man, proudly. “ I wish to respect 
even the prejudices of Colonel Howard, and beg 
he will forbear urging a subject on which I fear 
we never shall agree.” 

u Never, while thou art to be found in the 
ranks of rebellion !” cried the colonel. a Oh ! 
boy, boy ! how I could have loved and cherished 
thee, if the skill and knowledge obtained in the 
service of thy prince, were now devoted to the 
maintenance of his unalienable rights ! I loved 
thy father, worthy Hugh, even as I loved my own 
brother Harry.” 

“ And his son should still be dear to you,” in- 
terrupted Griffith, taking the reluctant hand of the 
Colonel into both his own. 

“ Ah, Eaward, Edward !” continued the soften- 
ed veteran, “ how many of my day-dreams have 
been destroyed by thy perversity ! nay, I know 
not that Kit, discreet and loyal as he is, could 
have found such favour in my eyes as thyself ; 
there is a cast of thy father in that face and smile, 
Ned, that might have won me to any thing short 
of treason — and then Cicily, provoking, tender, 
mutinous, kind, affectionate, good Cicily, would 
have been a link to unite us for ever.” 

The youth cast a hasty glance at the deliberate 
Borroughcliffe, who, if he had obeyed the impa- 
tient expression of his eye, would have followed 
the party that was slowly bearing the wounded 
towards the Abbey, before he yielded to his feel- 
uigs, and answered — 


THE PILOT. 


301 


“ Nay, sir ; let this then be the termination of 
our misunderstanding — your lovely niece shall be 
that link, and you shall be to me as your friend 
Hugh would have been had he lived, and to Ce- 
cilia twice a parent.” 

“ Boy, boy,” said the veteran, averting his face 
to conceal the working of his muscles, u you talk 
idly ; my word is now plighted to my kinsman, 
Kit, and thy scheme is impracticable.” 

u Nothing is impracticable, sir, to youth and 
enterprise, when aided by age and experience 
like yours,” returned Griffith ; u this war must 
soon terminate.” 

u This war !” echoed the Colonel, shaking 
loose the grasp which Griffith held on his arm ; 
“ ay ! what of this war, young man ? Is it not 
an accursed attempt to deny the rights of our 
gracious sovereign, and to place tyrants, reared 
in kennels, on the throne of princes ! a scheme 
to elevate the wicked at the expense of the good ! 
a project to aid unrighteous ambition, under the 
mask of sacred liberty and the popular cry of 
equality ! as if there could be liberty without or- 
der ! or equality of rights, wdiere the privileges of 
the sovereign are not as sacred as those of the 
people !” 

u You judge us harshly, Colonel Howard,” 
said Griffith — 

“ I judge you !” interrupted the old soldier, 
who, by this time, thought the youth resembled 
any one rather than his friend Hugh ; “ it is not 
my province to judge you at all ; if it were ! — but 
the time will come, the time will come. I am a 
patient man, and can wait the course of things ; 
yes, yes, age cooks the blood, and we learn to 
suppress the passions and impatience of youth ; 

ut if the ministry would issue a commission of 

26 


302 


THE PILOT. 


justice for the colonies, and put the name of oid 
George Howard in it, I am a dog, if there should 
be a rebel alive in twelve months. Sir,” turning 
sternly to Borroughcliffe, “ in such a cause, I 
could prove a Roman, and hang — hang — yes, 1 
do think, sir, I could hang my kinsman, Mr. Chris- 
topher Dillon !” 

“ Spare the Cacique such an unnatural eleva- 
tion, before his time,” returned the captain, with 
a grave wave of the hand : “ behold,” pointing 
towards the wood, “ there is a more befitting sub- 
ject for the gallows ! Mr. Griffith, yonder man 
calls himself your comrade ?” 

The eyes of Colonel Howard and Griffith fol- 
lowed the direction of his finger, and the latter in- 
stantly recognised the Pilot, standing in the skirts 
of the wood, with his arms folded, apparently sur- 
veying the condition of his friends. 

“ That man,” said Griffith, in confusion, and 
hesitating to utter even the equivocal truth that 
suggested itself, “ that man does not belong to our 
ship’s oompany.” 

“ And yet he has been seen in your company,” 
returned the incredulous Borroughcliffe ; u he was 
the spokesman in last night’s examination, Colonel 
Howard, and, doubtless, commands the rear guard 
of the rebels.” 

“ You say true,” cried the veteran ; “ Pompey f 
Caesar ! present ! fire !” 

The blacks started at the sudden orders of theii 
master, of whom they stood in the deepest awe, 
and, presenting their muskets, they averted theii 
faces, and shutting their eyes, obeyed the bloody 
mandate. 

“ Charge !” shouted the Colonel, flourishing the 
ancient sword with which he had armed himself, 
and pressing forward with all the activity that a 


THE PILOT. 


303 


recent fit of the gout would allow ; “ charge, and 
exterminate the dogs with the bayonet ! push on, 
Pompey — dress, boys, dress. 5 ’ 

a If your friend stand this charge, 55 said Bor- 
roughcliffe to Griffith, with unmoved composure, 
“ his nerves are made of iron ; such a charge 
would break the Coldstreams ; with Pompey in 
the ranks ! 55 

u I trust in God, 55 cried Griffith, u he will have 
forbearance enough to respect the weakness of 
Colonel Howard ! — he presents a pistol ! 55 

“ But he will not fire ; the Romans deem it 
prudent to halt ; nay, by heaven, they counter- 
march to the rear. Holla ! Colonel Howard, my 
worthy host, fall back on your reinforcements; 
the wood is full of armed men; they cannot 
escape us ; I only wait for the horse to cut off the 
retreat. 5 ' 

The veteran, who had advanced within a short 
distance of the single man, who thus deliberately 
awaited the attack, halted at this summons, and, 
by a glance of his eye, ascertained that he stood 
alone. Believing the words of Borroughcliffe to 
be true, he slowly retired, keeping his face man- 
fully towards his enemy, until he gained the sup- 
port of the captain. 

u Recall the troops, Borroughcliffe ! 55 he cried, 
and let us charge into the wood ; they will fly 
before his majesty’s arms like guilty scoundrels, 
as they are. As for the negroes, I’ll teach the 
black rascals to desert their master at such a mo- 
ment. They say Fear is pale, but, d e, Bor- 

roughcliffe, if I do not believe his skin is bkuck.” 

“ I have seen him of all colours ; blue, white, 
black, and party-coloured, 55 said the captain. . “ 1 
must take the command of matters on myself, 
however, my excellent host ; let us retire into the 


304 


THE PILOT. 


Abbey, and trust me to cut off the remainder of 
the rebels.” 

In this arrangement, the colonel reluctantly 
acquiesced, and the three followed the soldier to 
the dwelling, at a pace that was adapted to the 
infirmities of its master. The excitement of the 
onset, and the current of his ideas, had uni- 
ted, however, to banish every amicable thought 
from the breast of the colonel, and he entered 
the Abbey with a resolute determination of seeing 
justice dealt to Griffith and his companions, even 
though it should push them to the foot of the 
gallows. 

As the gentlemen disappeared from his view, 
among the shrubbery of the grounds, the Pilot 
replaced the weapon that was hanging from his 
hand, in his bosom, and, turning with a saddened 
and thoughtful brow, he slowly re-entered the 
wood* 


CHAPTER XX, 


“ When these prodigies 

Do so conjointly meet, let not men say, 
These are their reasons, — They are natural ’ 
For, I believe they are portentous things 
Unto the climate that they point upon.’ 

Case a 


The reader will discover, by referring to the 
time consumed in the foregoing events, that the 
Ariel, with her prize, did not anchor in the bay, 
already mentioned, until Griffith and his party 
had been for several hours in the custody of their 
enemies. The supposed capture of the rebel 
schooner was an incident that excited but little 
interest, and no surprise, among a people who 
were accustomed to consider their seamen as in- 
vincible ; and Barnstable had not found it a diffi 
cult task to practise his deception on the few 
rustics whom curiosity induced to venture along- 
side the vessels during the short continuance of 
daylight. When, however, the fogs of evening 
began to rise along the narrow basin, and the 
curvatures of its margin were lost in the single 
outline of its dark and gloomy border, the young 
seaman thought it time to apply himself in earnest 
to his duty. The Alacrity, containing all his 
own crew, together with the Ariel’s wounded, 
was gotten silently under way, and driving easily 
before the heavy air that swept from the land, she 
drifted from the harbour, until the open sea lay 
before her, when her sails were spread, and she 

continued to make the best of her way in quest 

26 * 


306 


THE PILOT. 


of the frigate. Barnstable had watched this move- 
ment with breathless anxiety ; for on an eminence 
that completely commanded the waters to some 
distance, a small but rude battery had been erected 
for the purpose of protecting the harbour against 
the depredations and insults of the smaller ves- 
sels of the enemy ; and a guard of sufficient force 
to manage the two heavy guns it contained, was 
maintained in the work at all times. He was ig- 
norant how far his stratagem had been successful, 
and it was only when he heard the fluttering of the 
Alacrity’s canvass, as she opened it to the breeze, 
he felt that he was yet secure. 

“ ’Twill reach the Englishmen’s ears,” said 
the boy Merry, who stood on the forecastle of 
the schooner, by the side of his commander, 
listening with breathless interest to the sounds ; 
u they set a sentinel on the point, as the sun went 
down, and if he is a trifle better than a dead man, 
or a marine asleep, he will suspect something is 
wrong.” 

a Never !” returned Barnstable, with a long 
breath, that announced all his apprehensions were 
removed ; u he will be more likely to believe it a 
mermaid fanning herself this cool evening, than 
to suspect the real fact. What say you, Master 
Coffin ? will the soldier smell the truth ?” 

“ They’re a dumb race,’” said the cockswain, 
casting his eyes over his shoulders, to ascertain 
that none of their own marine guard was near 
him ; u now, there was our sargeant, who ought to 
know* something, seeing that he has been afloat 
these four years, maintained, dead in the face and 
eyes of what every man, who has ever doubled 
Good Hope, knows to be true, that there was no 
such vessel to be fallen in with in them seas, as 
the Flying Dutchman ! and then, again, when 1 


THE PILOT. 


307 


told him that he was a c know-nothing,’ and asked 
him if the Dutchman was a more unlikely thing 
than that there should be places where the inhabi- 
tants split the year into two watches, and had day 
for six months, and night the rest of the time, the 
green-horn laughed in my face, and I do believe 
he would have told me I lied, but for one thing.” 

“ And what might that be ?” asked Barnstable, 
gravely. 

u Why, sir,” returned Tom, stretching his bony 
fingers, as he surveyed his broad palm, by the little 
light that remained, u though I am a peaceable 
man, I can be roused.” 

“ And you have seen the Flying Dutchman ?” 

“ I never doubled the east cape ; though I can 
find my way through Le Maire in the darkest 
night that ever fell from the heavens ; but I have 
seen them that have seen her, and spoken her 
too.” 

“ Well, be it so ; you must turn flying Yankee, 
yourself, to-night, Master Coffin. Man your boat 
at once, sir, and arm your crew.” 

The cockswain paused a moment, before he 
proceeded to obey this unexpected order, and, 
pointing towards the battery, he inquired with in 
finite phlegm — 

“ For shore-work, sir? Shall we take the cut- 
lashes and pistols ? or shall we want the pikes ?” 
u There may be soldiers in our way, with their 
bayonets,” said Barnstable musing ; “ arm as 
usual, but throw a few long pikes into the boat ; 
and harkye, Master Coffin, out with your tub and 
whale-line : for I see you have rigged yourself anew 
in that way.” 

The cockswain, who was moving from the 
forecastle, turned short at this new mandate, and 
with an air of remonstrance, ventured to say— 


308 


THE PILOT. 


u Trust an old whaler, Captain Barnstable, who 
has been used to these craft all his life. A whale 
boat is made to pull with a tub and line in it, as 
naturally as a ship is made to sail with ballast, 
and — ” 

“ Out with it, out with it,” interrupted the 
other, with an impatient gesture, that his cockswain 
knew signified a positive determination. Heaving 
a sigh at what he deemed his commander’s preju- 
dice, Tom applied himself, without farther delay, 
to the execution of the orders. Barnstable laid 
his hand familiarly on the shoulder of the boy, 
and led him to the stern of his little vessel, in pro- 
found silence. The canvass hood that covered 
the entrance to the cabin was thrown partly aside, 
and by the light of the lamp that w 7 as burning in 
the small apartment, it was easy to overlook, from 
the deck, what was passing beneath them. Dillon 
sat supporting his head with his two hands, in a 
manner that shaded his face, but in an attitude that 
denoted deep and abstracted musing. 

u I w r ould that I could see the face of my pri- 
soner,” said Barnstable, in an under tone, that was 
audible only to his companion. u The eye of a 
man is a sort of light-house, to tell one how to 
steer into the haven of his confidence, boy.” 
u And sometimes a beacon, sir, to w arn you, 
there is no safe anchorage near him,” returned the 
ready boy. 

“ Rogue !” muttered Barnstable, a youi cousin 
Kate spoke there.” 

u If my cousin Plowden were here, Mr. Barn 
stable, I know that her opinion of yon gentleman 
would not be at all more favourable.” 

u And yet, I have determined to trust him ! 
Listen, boy, and tell me if 1 am wrong ; you 
have a quick wit, like some others of your family, 


THE PILOT. 


309 


and may suggest something advantageous . 55 The 
gratified midshipman swelled with the conscious 
pleasure of possessing his commander’s confidence, 
and followed to the taffrail, over which Barnstable 
leaned, while he delivered the remainder of his 
communication. “I have gathered from the ’long- 
shorc-men who have come off, this evening, to 
stare at the vessel which the rebels have been able 
to build, that a party of seamen and marines have 
been captured in an old ruin near the Abbey of St. 
Ruth, this very day.” 

cc ’Tis Mr. Griffith ! 55 exclaimed the boy. 
u Ay ! the wit of your cousin Katherine was not 
necessary to discover that. Now, I have proposed 
to this gentleman with the Savannah face, that he 
should go into the Abbey, and negotiate an exchange. 
I will give him for Griffith, and the crew of the 
Alacrity for Manual’s command and the Tigers.” 
u The Tigers !” cried the lad, with emotion , 
u have they got my Tigers, too ! would to God 
that Mr. Griffith had permitted me to land !” 
u It was no boy’s work they were about, and 
room was scarcer in their boat than live-lumber. 
But this Mr. Dillon has accepted my proposition, 
and has pledged himself that Griffith shall return 
within an hour after he is permitted to enter the Ab- 
bey: will he redeem his honour from the pledge?” 
u He may,” said Merry, musing a moment, 
“ for I believe he thinks the presence of Mr. 
Griffith under the same roof with Miss Howard, a 
thing to be prevented, if possible ; he may be true 
in this instance, though he has a hollow look.” 
u He has bad-looking light-houses, I will own,” 
said Barnstable ; u and yet he is a, gentleman, and 
promises fair ; ’tis unmanly to suspect him in such 
a matter, and I will have faith ! Now listen, sir. 
The absence of older heads must throw great re- 


310 


THE IILOT. 


sponsibility on your young shoulders ; watch that 
battery as closely as if you were at the mast-head 
of your frigate, on the look-out for an enemy ; the 
instant you see lights moving in it, cut, and run 
into the offing; you will find me somewhere under 
the cliffs, and you will stand off and on, keeping the 
Abbey in sight, until you fall in with us.” 

Merry gave an attentive ear to these and divers 
other solemn injunctions that he received from his 
commander, who, having sent the officer next to 
himself in authority in charge of the prize, (the 
third in command being included in the list of the 
wounded,) was compelled to intrust his beloved 
schooner to the vigilance of a lad whose years 
gave no promise of the experience and skill that he 
actually possessed. 

When his admonitory instructions were ended, 
Barnstable stepped again to the opening in the 
cabin-hood, and for a single moment before he 
spoke, once more examined th s countenance of his 
prisoner, with a keen eye. Dillon had removed 
his hands from before his sallow features, and, as 
if conscious of the scrutiny his looks were to un- 
dergo, had concentrated the whole expression of 
his forbidding aspect in a settled gaze of hopeless 
submission to his fate. At least, so thought his 
captor, and the idea touched some of the finer 
feelings in the bosom of the generous young 
seaman. Discarding, instantly, every suspicion 
of his prisoner’s honour, as alike unworthy of 
them both, Barnstable summoned him, in a 
cheerful voice, to the boat. There w r as a flashing 
of the features of Dillon, at this call, which 
gave an indefinable expression to his countenance, 
that again startled the sailor ; but it w r as so very 
transient, and could so easily be mistaken for a 


THE PILOT. 


311 


smile of pleasure at his promised liberation, that 
the doubts it engendered passed away almost as 
speedily as the equivocal expression itself. Barn- 
stable was in the act of following his companion 
into the boat, when he felt himself detained by a 
slight hold of his arm. 

u What would you have ?” he asked of the mid- 
shipman, who had given him the signal. 

u Do not trust too much to that Dillon, sir,’ 1 
returned the anxious boy, in a whisper ; u if you 
had seen his face, as I did, when the binnacle 
light fell upon it, as he came up the cabin ladder, 
you would put no faith in him.” 

u I should have seen no beauty,” said the gene- 
rous lieutenant, laughing ; “ but, there is long 
Tom, as hard-featured a youth of two score and 
ten as ever washed in brine, who has a heart as 
big, ay, bigger than that of a kraaken. A bright 
watch to you, boy, and remember, a keen eye 
on the battery.” As he was yet speaking, Barn- 
stable crossed the gunwale of his little vessel, 
and it was not until he was seated by the side of 
his prisoner, that he continued, aloud — u Cast the 
stops off your sails, Mr. Merry, and see all clear, 
to make a run of every thing; recollect, you are 
short-handed, sir. God bless ye ! and d’ye hear r 
if there is a man among you who shuts more than 
one eye at a time, I’ll make him, when I get back, 
open both wider than if Tom Coffin’s friend, the 
Frying Dutchman, was booming down upon him. 
God bless ye, Merry, my boy ; give ’em the 
square-sail, if this breeze off-shore holds on till 
morning : — shove off.” 

As Barnstable gave the last order, he fell back 
on his seat, and, drawing his boat-cloak around 
him, maintained a profound silence, until they had 


312 


THE PILOT. 


passed the two small headlands that formed the 
month of the harbour. The men pulled, with 
muffled oars, their long, vigorous strokes, and the 
boat glided, with amazing rapidity, by the objects 
that could be yet indistinctly seen along the dim 
shore. When, hov 7 ever, they had gained the 
open ocean, and the direction of their little bark 
was changed to one that led them in a line w ith 
the coast, and within the shadows of the cliffs, 
the cockswain, deeming that the silence was no 
longer necessary to their safety, ventured to break 
it, as follows — 

“ A square-sail is a good sail to carry on a 
craft, dead afore it, and in a heavy sea; but if 
fifty years can teach a man to know the w 7 ea>ther, 
it’s my judgment that should the Ariel break ground 
after the night turns at eight bells, she’ll need her 
main-sail to hold her up to her course.” 

The lieutenant started at this sudden interrup- 
tion, and casting his cloak from his shoulders, he 
looked abroad on the waters, as if seeking those 
portentous omens which disturbed the imagination 
of his cockswain. 

“ How now, Tom,” he said, sharply, u have ye 
turned croaker in your old age ? what see you, to 
cause such an old woman’s ditty !” 

“ ’Tis no song of an old woman,” returned 
the cockswain, with solemn earnestness, u but the 
warning of an old man ; and one who has spent 
his days where there were no hills to prevent the 
winds of heaven from blowing on him, unless they 
were hills of salt w 7 ater and foam. I judge, sir, 
there’ll be a heavy north-easter setting in upon us 
afore the morning w 7 atch is called.” 

Barnstable knew 7 the experience of his old mess- 
mate too well, to feel no uneasiness at such an opi- 


THE PILOT. 


313 


nion, delivered in so portentous a manner; but after 
again surveying the horizon, the heavens, and the 
ocean, he said, with a continued severity of man- 
ner — 

“ Your prophecy is idle, this time, Master 
Coffin ; every thing looks like a dead calm. This 
swell is what is left from the last blow ; the mist 
over-head is nothing but the nightly fog, and 
you can see, with your own eyes, that it is driving 
seaward ; even this land breeze is nothing but the 
air of the ground mixing with that of the ocean ; 
it is heavy with dew and fog, but it’s as sluggish 
as a Dutch galliot.” 

u Ay, sir, it is damp, and there is little of it,” 
rejoined Tom ; “ but as it comes only from the 
shore, so it never goes far on the water. It is hard 
to learn the true signs of the weather, Captain 
Barnstable, and none get to know them well, but 
such as study little else, or feel but little else. 
There is only One who can see the winds of hea- 
ven, or who can tell when a hurricane is to begin, 
or where it will end. Still, a man isn’t like a 
whale or a porpoise, that takes the air in his nos- 
trils, but never knows whether it is a south-easter 
or a north-wester that he feeds upon. Look, 
broad-off to leeward, sir ; see the streak of clear 
sky shining under the mists ; take an old seafaring 
man’s word for it, Captain Barnstable, that when- 
ever the light shines out of the heavens in that 
fashion, ’tis never done for nothing ; besides, the 
sun set in a dark bank of clouds, and the little 
moon we had was dry and windy.” 

Barnstable listened attentively, and with in- 
creasing concern, for he well knew that his cock- 
swain possessed a quick and almost unerring judg- 
ment of the weather, notwithstanding the confused 

27 


314 


THE PILOT. 


medley of superstitious omens and signs with 
which it was blended ; but, again throwing himself 
back in his boat, he muttered — 

“ Then let it blow ; Griffith is worth a heavier 
risk, and if the battery can’t be cheated, it can be 
carried.” 

Nothing further passed on the state of the wea- 
ther. Dillon had not ventured a single remark 
since he entered the boat, and the cockswain had 
the discretion to understand that his officer w T as 
willing to be left to his own thoughts. For neai 
an hour they pursued their way with diligence ; 
the sinewy seamen, who wielded the oars, urging 
their light boat along the edge of the surf w T ith 
unabated velocity, and, apparently, with untired 
exertions. Occasionally, Barnstable would cast 
an inquiring glance at the little inlets that they 
passed, or w ould note, with a seaman’s eye, the 
small portions of sandy beach that were scattered 
here and there along the rocky boundaries of the 
coast. One, in particular, a deeper inlet than 
common, where a run of fresh water w 7 as heard 
gurgling as it met the tide, he pointed out to his 
cocksw r ain, by significant, but silent gestures, as a 
place to be especially noted. Tom, who under- 
stood the signal as intended for his own eye alone, 
made his observations on the spot, wfith equal 
taciturnity, but with all the minuteness that would 
distinguish one long accustomed to find his way, 
whether by land or water, by land-marks, and 
the bearings of different objects. Soon after this 
silent communication between the lieutenant and 
his cocksw T ain, the boat w 7 as suddenly turned, and 
was in the act of dashing upon the spit of sand 
before it, when Barnstable checked the movement 
by his voice — 


THE PILOT. 


315 


“ Hold water !” he said ; u ’tis the sound of 
oars !” 

The seamen held their boat at rest, while a deep 
attention was given to the noise that had alarmed 
the ears of their commander. 

“ See, sir,” said the cockswain, pointing to- 
wards the eastern horizon ; u it is just rising into 
the streak of light to seaward of us — now it settles 
in the trough — ah ! here you have it again !” 

“ By heavens !” cried Barnstable, u ’tis a man- 
of-war’s stroke it pulls ; I saw the oar-blades 
as they fell ! and, listen to the sound ! neither 
your fisherman nor your smuggler pulls such a re- 
gular oar.” 

Tom had bowed his head nearly to the water, 
in the act of listening, and now, raising himself, he 
spoke with confidence — 

“ That is the Ti«;er ; I know the stroke of her 
crew as well as I do of my own. Mr. Merry 
has made them learn the new-fashioned jerk, as 
they dip their blades, and they feather with such 
a roll in their rullocks ! I could swear to the 
stroke.” 

u Hand me the night-glass,” said his comman- 
der, impatiently! u I can catch them, as they are 
lifted into the streak. You are right, by every 
star in our flag, Tom ! — but there is only one 
man in her stern-sheets. By my good eyes, I 
believe it is that accursed Pilot,- sneaking from 
the land, and leaving Griffith and Manual to die 
in English prisons. To shore with you — beach 
her at once.” 

The order was no sooner given, than it was 
obeyed, and in less than two minutes, the impa- 
tient Barnstable, Dillon, and the cockswain, were 
standing together on the sands. 


316 


THE PILOT. 


The impression he had received, that his friends 
were abandoned to their fate by the pilot, urged 
the generous young seaman to hasten the depar- 
ture of his prisoner, as he was fearful every mo- 
ment might interpose some new obstacle to the 
success of his plans. 

u Mr. Dillon,” he said, the instant they were 
landed, “ I exact no new promise — your honour is 
already plighted” — 

u If oaths can make it stronger,” interrupted 
Dillon, u I will take them.” 

u Oaths cannot — the honour of a gentleman 
is, at all times, enough. I shall send my cock- 
swain with you to the Abbey, and you will either 
return with him, in person, within two hours, or 
give Mr. Griffith and Captain Manual to his 
guidance. Proceed, sir, you are conditionally 
free ; there is an easy opening by which to ascend 
the cliffs.” 

Dillon once more thanked his generous captor, 
and then proceeded to force his way up the rough 
eminence. 

u Follow, and obey his instructions,” said Barn- 
stable to his cockswain, aloud. 

Tom, long accustomed to implicit obedience, 
handled his harpoon, and was quietly following in 
the footsteps of his new leader, when he felt the 
hand of the lieutenant on his shoulder. 

u You saw where the brook emptied over the 
hillock of sand ?” said Barnstable, in an unde 
tone. 

Tom nodded assent. 

u You will find us there riding without the surf 
— ’twill not do to trust too much to an enemy.” 

The cockswain made a gesture of great signi- 
ficance with his weapon, that was intended to 


THE PILOT. 


317 


indicate the danger their prisonei would incur, 
should he prove false ; when, applying the wooden 
end of the harpoon to the rocks, he ascended the 
ravine at a rate that soon brought him to the side 
of his companion. 


27 * 


CHAPTER XXI. 


“ Ay, marry, let me have him to sit under ; 
He’s like to be a cold soldier.” 

Falstaff. 


Barnstable lingered on the sands for a few mi- 
nutes, until the footsteps of Dillon and the cock- 
swain were no longer audible, when he ordered 
his men to launch their boat once more into the 
surf. While the seamen pulled leisurely towards 
the place he had designated, as the point where he 
would await the return of Tom, the lieutenant 
first began to entertain serious apprehensions 
concerning the good faith of his prisoner. Now 
that Dillon was beyond his control, his imagina- 
tion presented, in very vivid colours, several 
little circumstances in the other’s conduct, which 
might readily excuse some doubts of his good 
faith, and, by the time they had reached the place 
of rendezvous, and had cast a light grapnel into 
the sea, his fears had rendered him excessively 
uncomfortable. Leaving the lieutenant to his re- 
flections on this unpleasant subject, w r e shall fol- 
low Dillon and his fearless and unsuspecting com- 
panion in their progress towards St. Ruth. 

The mists to which Tom had alluded, in his 
discussion wbth his commander, on the state of 
the weather, appeared to be settling nearer to the 
earth, and assuming more decidedly the ap- 
pearance of a fog, hanging above them in sluggish 


THE PILOT. 


319 


volumes, but little agitated by the air. The con- 
sequent obscurity added deeply to the gloom of 
the night, and it would have been difficult for one 
less acquainted than Dillon with the surrounding 
localities, to have found the path which led to the 
dwelling of Colonel Howard. After some little 
search, this desirable object was effected, and the 
civilian led the way, with rapid strides, towards 
the Abbey. 

“ Ay, ay !” said Tom, who followed his steps, 
and equalled his paces, without any apparent ef- 
fort, u you shore-people have an easy way to find 
your course and distance, when you get into the 
track. I was once left by the craft I belonged to, 
in Boston, to find my way to Plymouth, which is 
a matter of fifteen leagues, or thereaway ; and, 
so finding nothing was bound up the bay, after 
iying-by for a week, I concluded to haul aboard 
my land-tacks. I spent the better part of ano- 
ther week in a search for some hooker, on board 
which I might work my passage across the coun- 
try, foi money was as scarce then with old Tom 
Coffin as it is now, and is likely to be, unless the 
fisheries get a good luff soon ; but it seems that 
nothing but your horse-flesh, and horned cattle, 
and jack-asses, are privileged to do the pulling 
and hauling in your shore-hookers ; and I was 
forced to pay a week’s wages for a birth, besides 
keeping a banyan on a mouthful of bread and 
cheese, from the time we hove-up in Boston, till 
we came-to in Plymouth town.” 

“It was certainly an unreasonable exaction, on 
the part of the waggoners, from a man in your si- 
tuation,” said Dillon, in a friendly, soothing tone 
of voice, that denoted a willingness to pursue the 
conversation. 

u My situation was that of a cabin passenger,” 


320 


THE PILOT. 


returned the cockswain ; u for there was but or*© 
hand forward, beside the cattle I mentioned— that 
was he who steered — and an easy birth he had of 
it ; for there his course lay a-tween walls of stone, 
and fences ; and, as for his reckoning, why, they 
had stuck up bits of stone on end, with his day’s 
w r oik footed up, ready to his hand, every half 
league or so. Besides, the land-marks were so 
plenty, that a man, with half-an-eye, might steer 
her, and no fear of getting to leeward.” 

66 You must have found yourself, as it were in a 
new world,” observed Dillon. 

u Why, to me, it was pretty much the same as 
if I had been set afloat in a strange country, 
though I may be said to be a native of those 
parts, being born on the coast, f had often heard 
shore-men say, that there was as much ’arth 
as water in the world, which I always set down 
as a rank lie, for Pve sailed with a flowing sheet 
months an-end, without falling in with as much 
land or rock as would answer a gull to lay its eggs 
on ; but I w 7 ill own, that a- tween Boston and Ply- 
mouth, w 7 e were out-of-sight of water for as much 
as two full w T atches !” 

Dillon pursued this interesting subject with 
great diligence ; and by the time they reached the 
wall, which enclosed the large paddock that sur- 
rounded the Abbey, the cockswain was deeply 
involved in a discussion of the comparative mag- 
nitude of the Atlantic Ocean and the Continent of 
America. 

Avoiding the principal entrance to the building, 
through the great gates which communicated 
with the court in front, Dillon followed the wind- 
ings of the wall until it led them to a wicket, 
which he knew was seldom closed for the night, 
until the hour for general rest had arrived. Theis 


THE PILOT 


321 


way now lay in the rear of the principal edifice, 
and soon conducted them to the confused pile 
which contained the offices. The cockswain fol- 
lowed his companion with a confiding reliance on 
his knowledge and good faith, that was a good 
deal increased by the freedom of communication 
that had been maintained during their walk from 
the cliffs. He did not perceive any thing ex- 
traordinary in the other’s stopping at the room, 
which had been provided as a sort of barracks 
for the soldiers of Captain Borroughcliffe. A 
conference which took place between Dillon and 
the sergeant was soon ended, when the former 
beckoned to the cockswain to follow, and, taking 
a circuit round the whole of the offices, they en- 
tered the Abbey together, by the door through 
which the ladies had issued, when in quest of the 
three prisoners, as has been already related. — 
After a turn or two among the narrow passages 
of that part of the edifice, Tom, whose faith in 
the facilities of land navigation began to be a 
little shaken, found himself following his guide 
through a long, dark gallery, that was terminated 
at the end toward which they were approaching, 
by a half-open door, that admitted a glimpse into a 
well-lighted and comfortable apartment. To this 
door Dillon hastily advanced, and, throwing it 
open, the cockswain enjoyed a full view of the 
very scene that we described, in introducing Col. 
Howard to the acquaintance of the reader, and 
under circumstances of great similitude. The 
cheerful fire of coal, the strong and glaring lights, 
the tables of polished mahogany, and the blushing 
fluids, were still the same in appearance, while 
the only perceptible change was in the number of 
those who partook of the cheer. The master of 
the mansion, and Borroughcliffe, were seated op* 


322 


THE PILOT. 


posite to each other, employed in discussing the 
events of the day, and diligently pushing to and 
fro the glittering vessel, that contained a portion 
of the generous liquor they both loved so' well; a 
task which each moment rendered lighter. 

a If Kit would but return,” exclaimed the vete- 
ran, whose back was to the opening door, u bringing 
with him his honest brows encircled, as they will 
be, or ought to be, with laurel, I should be the 
happiest old fool, Borroughcliffe, in his majesty’s 
realm of Great Britain !” 

The captain, who felt the necessity for the un- 
natural restraint he had imposed on his thirst, to 
be removed by the capture of his enemies, pointed 
towards the door with one hand, while he grasped 
the sparkling reservoir of the u south side” with 
the other, and answered — 

u Lo ! the Cacique himself! his brow inviting 
the diadem — ha ! who have we in his highness’s 
train ? By the Lord, sir Cacique, if you travel 
with a body guard of such grenadiers, old Frede- 
ric of Prussia himself will have occasion to envy 
you the corps ! a clear six-footer in nature’s stock- 
ings ! and the arms as unique as the armed !” 

The colonel did not, however, attend to half of 
his companion’s exclamations, but turning, he be- 
held the individual he had so much desired, and 
received him with a delight proportioned to the 
unexpectedness of the pleasure. For several 
minutes, Dillon was compelled to listen to the 
rapid questions of bis venerable relative, to all of 
which he answered with a prudent reserve, that 
might, in some measure, have been governed by 
the presence of the cockswain. Tom stood with 
infinite composure, leaning on his harpoon, and 
surveying, with a countenance where wonder \v\s 
singularly blended with contempt, the furniture 


THE PILOT. 


323 


and arrangements of an apartment that was far 
more splendid than any he had before seen. In 
the mean time, Borroughclitfe entirely disregard- 
ed the private communications that passed be- 
tween his host and Dillon, which gradually be- 
came more deeply interesting, and finally drew 
them to a distant corner of the apartment, bui 
taldng a most undue advantage of the absence ot 
the gentleman, who had so lately been his boon 
companion, he swallowed one rotation after an- 
other, as if a double duty had devolved on him, 
in consequence of the desertion of the veteran. 
Whenever his eye did wander from the ruby tints 
of his glass, it was to survey, with unrepressed 
admiration, the inches of the cockswain, about 
whose stature and frame there were numberless 
excellent points to attract the gaze of a recruiting 
officer. From this double pleasure, the captain 
was, however, at. last summoned, to participate in 
the councils of his friends. 

Dillon was spared the disagreeable duty of re- 
peating the artful tale he had found it necessary 
to palm on the colonel, by the ardour of the vete- 
ran himself, who executed the task in a manner 
that gave to the treachery of his kinsman every 
appearance of a justifiable artifice and of unshaken 
zeal in the cause of his prince. In substance, 
Tom was to be detained as a prisoner, and the 
party of Barnstable were to be entrapped, and c f 
course to share a similar fate. The sunken eye 
of Dillon cowered before the steady gaze which 
Borroughcliffe fastened on him, as the latter lis- 
tened to the plaudits the colonel lavished on his 
cousin’s ingenuity ; but the hesitation that lingered 
in the soldier’s manner vanished, when he turned 
to examine their unsuspecting prisoner, who was 
continuing his survey of the apartment, while he 


324 


THE PILOT. 


innocently imagined the consultations he witnessed 
were merely the proper and preparatory steps to 
his admission into the presence of Mr. Griffith. 

“ Drill,” said Borroughcliffe, aloud, u advance 
and receive your orders. The cockswain turned 
quickly, at this sudden mandate, and for the first 
time, perceived that he had been followed into the 
gallery, by the orderly, and two files of the re- 
cruits, armed. “ Take this man to the guard- 
room, and feed him ; and see that he dies not of 
thirst.” 

There was nothing alarming in this order ; and 
Tom was following the soldiers, in obedience to a 
gesture from their captain, when their steps were 
arrested in the gallery, by the cry of “ Halt.” 

u On recollection, Drill,” said Borroughcliffe, 
in a tone from which all dictatorial sounds were 
banished, “ show the gentleman into my own 
room, and see him properly supplied.” 

The orderly gave such an intimation of his 
comprehending the meaning of his officer, as the 
latter was accustomed to receive, when Borrough^ 
cliffe returned to his bottle, and the cockswain 
followed his guide, with an alacrity and good will 
that were not a little increased by the repeated 
mention of the cheer that awaited him. 

Luckily for the impatience of Tom, the quar- 
ters of the captain were at hand, and the promised 
entertainment by no means slow in making its 
appearance. The former was an apartment that 
opened from a lesser gallery, which communicated 
with the principal passage already mentioned ; and 
the latter was a bountiful but ungarnished supply 
of that staple of the British isles, ' called roast 
beef : of which the kitchen of Colonel Howard 
was never without a due and loyal provision. — • 
The sergeant, who certainly understood one of the 


THE PILOT. 


325 


signs of his captain to imply an attack on the cita- 
del of the cockswain’s brain, mingled, with his 
own hands, a potation, that he styled a rummer of 
grog, and which he thought would have felled 
the animal itself that Tom was so diligently mas- 
ticating, had it been alive, and in its vigour. 
Every calculation that was made on the infirmity 
of the cockswain’s intellect, under the stimulus 
of Jamaica, was, however, futile. He swallowed 
glass after glass, with prodigious relish, but, at 
the same time, with immoveable steadiness; and 
the eyes of the sergeant, who felt it incumbent 
to do honour to his own cheer, were already 
glistening in his head, when, happily for the credit 
of his heart, a tap at the door announced the pre- 
sence of his captain, and relieved him from the 
impending disgrace of being drunk blind by a 
recruit. 

As Borroughcliffe entered the apartment, he 
commanded his orderly to retire, adding — 

“ Mr. Dillon will give you instructions, which 
you are implicitly to obey.” 

Drill, who had sense enough remaining to 
apprehend the displeasure of his officer, should 
the latter discover his condition, quickened his 
departure, and the cockswain soon found himself 
alone with the captain. The vigour of Tom’s 
attacks on the remnants of the sirloin was now 
much abated, leaving in its place that placid quiet * 
which is apt to linger about the palate, long after 
the cravings of the appetite have been appeased. 
He had seated himself on one of the trunks of Bor- 
roughcliffe, utterly disdaining the use of a chair, 
and, with the trencher in his lap, was using his own 
jack-knife on the dilapidated fragment of the ox, 
with something of that nicety with which the fe- 
male goule, of the Arabian Tales, might be supposed 


326 


THE PI EOT. 


to pick her rice with the point of her bodkin. 
The captain drew a seat nigh the cockswain, 
and, with a familiarity and kindness infinitely con- 
descending, when the difference in their severa 1 
conditions is considered, he commenced the fol- 
lowing dialogue : 

“ 1 hope you have found your entertainment to 
your liking, Mr. a — a — I must own my ignorance 
of your name. 55 

“Tom, 55 said the cockswain, keeping his eyes 
roaming over the contents of the trencher ; “ com- 
monly called long Tom by my shipmates. 55 

“ You have sailed with discreet men, and able 
navigators, it will seem, as they understand longi- 
tude so well, 55 rejoined the captain; “but you have 
a patronymick — I would say, another name ? 55 

“ Coffin, 55 returned the cockswain ; “ I’m called 
Tom, when there is any hurry, such as letting go 
the haulyards, or a sheet ; long Tom, when they 
want to get to windward of an old seaman, by 
fair weather; and long Tom Coffin, when they 
wish to hail me, so that none of my cousins of 
the same name, about the islands, shall answer ; 
for I believe the best man among them can’t mea- 
sure much over a fathom, taking him from his 
head-works to his heel. 55 

“ You are a most deserving fellow, 55 cried Bor- 
roughcliffe, “ and it is painful to think to what a fate 
the treachery of Mr. Dillon has consigned you. 55 

The suspicions of Tom, if he ever entertained 
any, were lulled to rest too effectually by the 
kindness he had received, to be awakened by this 
equivocal lament ; he, therefore, after renewing 
his intimacy with the rummer, contented himsel? 
by saying, with a satisfied simplicity — 

“ I am consigned to no one, carrying no cargo 
but this Mr. Dillon ; who is to give me Mr. Grit 


THE PILOT. 


327 


fith in exchange, or go back to the Ariel himself, 
as my prisoner.” 

“ Ah ! my good friend, I fear you will find, when 
the time comes to make this exchange, that he 
will refuse to do either.” 

“ But, I’ll be d d if he don’t do one of 

them ! my orders are to see it done, and back he 
goes ; or Mr. Griffith, who is as good a seaman, 
for his years, as ever trod a deck, slips his cable 
from this here anchorage.” 

Borroughcliffe affected to eye his companion 
with great commiseration ; an exhibition of com- 
passion that was, however, completely lost on the 
cockswain, whose nerves were strung to their hap- 
piest tension, by his repeated libations, while his 
wit was, if any thing, quickened by the same 
cause, though his own want of guile rendered him 
slow to comprehend its existence in others. Per- 
ceiving it necessary to speak plainly, the captain 
renewed the attack in a more direct manner — 
u I am sorry to say that you will not be per- 
mitted to return to the Ariel, and that your com- 
mander, Mr. Barnstable, will be a prisoner within 
the hour ; and in fact, that your schooner will be 
taken, before the morning breaks.” 

u Who’ll take her ?” asked the cockswain, with 
a grim smile, on whose feelings, however, this 
combination of threatened calamities was beginning 
to make some impression. 

u You must remember, that she lies immediate- 
ly under the heavy guns of a battery that can 
sink her in a few minutes ; an express has already 
been sent to acquaint the commander of the w r ork 
with the Ariel’s true character ; and as the w 7 ind 
has already begun to blow from the ocean, hei 
escape is impossible.” 

The tiuth, together with its portentous conse- 


328 


THE PILOT. 


quences, now began to glare across the faculties of 
the cockswain. He remembered his own prognos- 
tics on the weather, and the helpless situation of 
the schooner, deprived of more than half her crew, 
and left to the keeping of a boy, while her com- 
mander himself was on the eve of captivity. The 
trencher fell from his lap to the floor, his head 
sunk on his knees, his face was concealed between 
his broad palms, and in spite of every effort the 
old seaman could make to conceal his emotion, he 
fairly groaned aloud. 

For a moment, the better feelings of Bor- 
roughcliffe prevailed, and he paused, as he wit- 
nessed this exhibition of suffering in one whose 
head was already sprinkled with the marks of time ; 
but his habits, and the impressions left by many 
years passed in collecting victims for the wars, soon 
resumed their ascendency, and the recruiting 
officer diligently addressed himself to an improve- 
ment of his advantage. 

“ I pity, from my heart, the poor lads whom 
artifice or mistaken notions of duty may have 
led astray, and who will thus be taken in arms 
against their sovereign ; but as they are found in 
the very island of Britain, they must be made ex- 
amples to deter others. I fear, that unless they 
can make their peace with government, they will 
all be condemned to death.” 

u Let them make their peace with God, then ; 
your government can do but little to clear the log, 
account of a man whose watch is up for this world.’’ 

“ But, by making their peace with those who 
have the power, their lives may be spared,” said 
the captain, watching, with keen eyes, the effect 
his words produced on the cockswain. 

u It matters but little when a man hears the 
messenger pipe his hammock down for the last 


THE PILOT. 


329 


time ; he keeps his watch in another world, though 
he goes below in this. But to see wood and iron, 
that has been put together after such moulds as 
the Ariel’s, go into strange hands, is a blow that a 
man may remember long after the purser’s books 
have been squared against his name for ever ! I 
would rather that twenty shot should strike my 
old carcass, than one should hull the schooner 
that didn’t pass out above her water-line.” 

Borroughcliffe replied, somewhat carelessly, 
“ I may be mistaken, after all ; and, instead of 
putting any of you to death, they may place you 
all on board the prison-ships, where you may 
yet have a merry time of it, these ten or fifteen 
years to come.” 

“ How’s that, shipmate !” cried the cockswain, 
with a start ; “ a prison-ship, d’ye say ? you may 
tell them they can save the expense of one man’s 
rations, by hanging him, if they please, and that is 
old Tom Coffin.” 

“ There is no answering for their caprice : to- 
day, they may order a dozen of you to be shot for 
rebels ; to-morrow they may choose to consider you 
as prisoners of war, and send you to the hulks for 
a dozen years.” 

“ Tell them, brother, that I’m a rebel, will ye ? 
and ye’ll tell ’em no lie — one that has fou’t them 
since Manly’s time, in Boston bay, to this hour. 
I hope the boy will blow her up ! it would be the 
death of poor Richard Barnstable, to see her in 
the hands of the English !” 

“ I know of one way,” said Borroughcliffe, 
affecting to muse, “ and but one, that will certainly 
avert the prison-ship ; for, on second thoughts, 
they will hardly put you to death.” 

“Name it, friend,” cried the cockswain, rising 

28 * 


330 


THE PILOT. 


from his seat in evident perturbation, u and if it 
lies in the power of man, it shall be don 3.” 

u Nay,” said the captain, dropping his hand fa- 
miliarly on the shoulder of the other, who listened 
with the most eager attention, U5 tis easily done, 
and no dreadful thing in itself; you are used to 
gunpowder, and know its smell from otto of roses ?” 
“ Ay, ay,” cried the impatient old seaman ; “ J 
have had it flashing under my nose by the hour ; 
what then ?” 

“ Why, then, what I have to propose will be 
nothing to a man like you — you found the beef 
wholesome, and the grog mellow T ?” 

“ Ay, ay, all well enough ; but what is that to 
an old sailor ?” asked the cockswain, unconsciously 
grasping the collar of Borroughcliffe’s coat, in his 
agitation ; u what then ?” 

The captain manifested no displeasure at this 
unexpected familiarity, but smiled, with suavity, 
as he unmasked the battery, from behind which he 
had hitherto carried on his attacks. 

“ Why, then, you have only to serve your 
King, as you have before served the Congress — 
and let me be the man to show you your colours.” 
The cockswain stared at the speaker intently, 
but it was evident he did not clearly comprehend 
the nature of the proposition, and the captain pur- 
sued the subject — 

u In plain English, enlist in my company, my 
fine fellow, and your life and liberty are both safe.” 
Tom did not laugh aloud, for that was a burst 
of feeling in which he was seldom known to in- 
dulge, but every feature of his weather-beaten 
visage contracted into an expression of bitter, 
ironical contempt. Borroughclifle felt the iron 
fingers, that still grasped his collar, gradually 


THE PILOT. 


381 


tightening about his throat, like a vice, and, as the 
arm slowly contracted, his body was drawn, by a 
power that it was in vain to resist, close to that of 
the cockswain, who, when their faces were within 
a foot of each other, gave vent to his emotions in 
words 

“A messmate, before a shipmate; a shipmate, 
before a stranger; a stranger, before a dog — but 
a dog before a soldier !” 

As Tom concluded, his nervous arm was sud- 
denly extended to the utmost, the fingers relin- 
quishing their grasp at the same time, and, when 
Borroughcliffe recovered his disordered faculties, 
he found himself in a distant corner of the apart- 
ment, prostrate among a conf ised pile of chairs, 
tables, and wearing apparel. In endeavouring 
to rise from this humble posture, the hand of the 
captain fell on the hilt of his sword, which had 
been included in the confused assemblage of arti- 
cles produced by his overthrow. 

“ How now, scoundrel !” he cried, baring the 
glittering weapon, and springing on his feet ; u you 
must be taught your distance, I perceive.” 

The cockswain seized the harpoon which lean- 
ed against the wall, and dropped its barbed ex- 
tremity within a foot of the breast of his assail- 
ant, with an expression of the eye that denoted 
the danger of a nearer approach. The captain, 
however, wanted not for courage, and, stung to 
the quick by the insult he had received, he made 
a desperate parry, and attempted to pass within 
the point of the novel weapon of his adversary. 
The slight shock war followed by a sweeping 
whirl of the harpoon, and Borroughcliffe found 
himself without arms, completely at the mercy of 
his foe. The bloody intentions of Tom vanish- 
ed with his success; for, laying aside his wea- 


332 


THE PILOT. 


pon, he advanced upon his antagonist, and seized 
him with an open palm. One more struggle, in 
which the captain discovered his incompetency 
to make any defence against the strength of a 
man who managed him as if he had been a child, 
decided the matter. When the captain was passive 
in the hands of his foe, the cockswain produced 
sundry pieces of sennit, marline, and ratlin-stuff, 
from his pockets, which appeared to contain as 
great a variety of small cordage as a boatswain’s 
store-room, and proceeded to lash the arms of the 
conquered soldier to the posts of his bed, with a 
coolness that had not been disturbed since the com- 
mencement of hostilities, a silence that seemed in- 
flexible, and a dexterity that none but a seaman 
could equal. When this part of his plan was ex- 
ecuted, Tom paused a moment, and gazed around 
him as if in quest of something. The naked 
sword caught his eye, and, with this weapon in his 
hand, he deliberately approached his captive, 
whose alarm prevented his observing, that the 
cockswain had snapped the blade asunder from 
the handle, and that he had already encircled the 
latter with marline. 

“For God’s sake,” exclaimed Borroughcliffe, 
u murder me not in cold blood !” 

The silver hilt entered his mouth as the words 
issued from it, and the captain found, while the line 
was passed and repassed, in repeated involutions 
across the back of his neck, that he was in a con- 
dition to which he often subjected his own men, 
when unruly, and which is universally called be- 
ing “ gagged.” The cockswain now appeared to 
think himself entitled to all the privileges of a 
conqueror ; for, taking the light in his hand, he 
commenced a scrutiny into the nature and quality 
of the worldly effects that lay at his mercy-. 


THE PILOT. 


333 


Sundry articles, that belonged to the equipments 
of a soldier, were examined, and cast aside with 
great contempt, and divers garments of plainer 
exterior were rejected as unsuited to the frame of 
the victor. He, however, soon encountered two 
articles, of a metal that is universally under- 
stood. But uncertainty as to their use appeared 
greatly to embarrass him. The circular prongs 
of these curiosities were applied to either hand, 
to the wrists, and even to the nose, and the little 
wheels, at their opposite extremity, were turned 
and examined with as much curiosity and care, 
as a savage would expend on a watch, until the 
idea seemed to cross the mind of the honest sea- 
man, that they formed part of the useless trap- 
pings of a military man, and he cast them aside, 
also, as utterly worthless. Borroughcliffe, who 
watched every movement of his conqueror, with 
a good humour that would have restored perfect 
harmony between them, could he but have ex- 
pressed half what he felt, witnessed the safety of a 
favourite pair of spurs with much pleasure, though 
nearly suffocated by the mirth that was unnaturally 
repressed. At length, the cockswain found a pair 
oi handsomely mounted pistols, a sort of weapon 
with which he seemed quite familiar. They were 
loaded, and the knowledge of that fact appeared 
to remind Tom of the necessity of departing, 
by bringing to his recollection the danger of his 
commander and the Ariel. He thrust the wea- 
pons into the canvass belt that encircled his body, 
and, grasping his harpoon, approached the bed, 
where Borroughcliffe was seated in duresse. 

“ Harkye, friend,” said the cockswain, u may 
the Lord forgive you, as I do, for wishing to 
make a soldier of a sea-faring man, and one whc 
has followed the waters since he was an hour old. 


834 


THE PILOT. 


and one who hopes to die off soundings, and to be 
buried in brine. I wish you no harm, friend; but 
you’ll have to keep a stopper on your conver- 
sation till such time as some of your messmates 
call in this way, which I hope will be as soon after 
I get an offing as may be.” 

With these amicable wishes, the cockswain de- 
parted, leaving Borroughcliffe the light, and the 
undisturbed possession of his apartment, though 
not in the most easy or the most enviable situa- 
tion imaginable. The captain heard the bolt of 
his lock turn, and the key rattle as the cock- 
swain withdrew it from the door — two precau- 
tionary steps, which clearly indicated that the van- 
quisher deemed it prudent to secure his retreat, 
by insuring the detention of the vanquished, for 
at least a time. 


CHAPTER XXII. 


“ Whilst Vengeance, in the lurid air, 
Lifts her red arm, expos’d and bare 
Who, Fear, this ghastly train can see, 

And look not madly wild, like thee 1” 

Collins. 


It is certain that Tom Coffin had devised no 
settled plan of operations, when he issued from 
the apartment of Borrougncliffe, if we except a 
most resolute determination to make the best of 
his way to the Ariel, and to share her fate, let it 
be either to sink or swim. But this was a resolu- 
tion much easier formed by the honest seaman 
than executed, in his present situation. He would 
have found it less difficult to extricate a vessel 
from the dangerous shoals of the u Devil’s Grip,” 
than to thread the mazes of the labyrinth of 
passages, galleries, and apartments, in which he 
found himself involved. He remembered, as he 
expressed it to himself, in a low soliloquy, “to 
have run into a narrow passage from the main 
channel, but whether he had sheered to the star- 
board or larboard hand,” was a material fact, 
that had entirely escaped his memory. Tom was 
in that part of the building that Colonel Howard 
had designated as the cc cloisters,” and in which, 
luckily for him, lie was but little liable to encounter 
any foe ; the room occupied by BorroughclifTe 
being the only one in the entire wing that was 


336 


THE PILOT. 


not exclusively devoted to the service of the 
ladies. The circumstance of the soldier’s being 
permitted to invade this sanctuary, was owing to 
the necessity, on the part of Colonel Howard, of 
placing either Griffith, Manual, or the recruiting 
officer, in the vicinity of his wards, or of subjecting 
his prisoners to a treatment that the veteran would 
have thougnt unworthy of his name and character. 
This recent change in the quarters of Borrough- 
cliffe operated doubly to the advantage of Tom, 
by lessening the chance of the speedy release of 
his uneasy captive, as well as by diminishing his 
own danger. Of the former circumstance he was, 
however, not aware ; and the consideration of the 
latter was a sort of reflection to which the cock- 
swain was, in no degree, addicted. 

Following, necessarily, the line of the wall, he 
soon emerged from the dark and narrow passage 
in which he had first found himself, and entered 
the principal gallery, that communicated with all 
the lower apartments of that wing, as well as 
with the main body of the edifice. An open 
door, through which a strong light was glaring, 
at a distant end of this gallery, instantly caught 
his eje r and the old seaman had not advanced 
many steps towards it, before he discovered that 
he was approaching the very room which had so 
much excited his curiosity, and by the identical 
passage through which he had entered the Abbey. 
To turn, and retrace his steps, w T as the most ob- 
vious course for any man to take, who felt anx- 
ious to escape ; but the sounds of high convivia- 
lity, bursting from the cheerful apartment, among 
which the cockswain thought he distinguished 
the name of Griffith, determined Tom to advance 
and reconnoitre the scene more closely. The 
reader will anticipate that when he paused in the 


THE PILOT. 


337 


shadow, the doubting old seaman stood once more 
neai the threshold which he had so lately crossed, 
when conducted to the room of Borroughcliflfe. 
The seat of that gentleman was now occupied by 
Dillon, and Col. Howard had resumed his wonted 
station at the foot of the table. The noise was 
chiefly made by the latter, who had evidently been 
enjoying a more minute relation of the means by 
which his kinsman had entrapped his unwary 
enemy. 

“ A noble ruse !” cried the veteran, as Tom 
assumed his post, in ambush; “ a most noble and 
ingenious ruse, and such a one as would have 
baffled Caesar ! He must have been a cunning 
dog, that Caesar ; but 1 do think, Kit, you would 
have been too much for him ; hang me, if 1 don’t 
think you would have puzzled Wolfe himself, had 
you held Quebec, instead of Montcalm ! Ah, 
boy, we want you in the colonies, with the ermine 
over your shoulders ; such men as you, cousin 
Christopher, are sadly, sadly wanted there to de- 
fend his majesty’s rights.” 

u Indeed, dear sir, your partiality gives me 
credit for qualities I do not possess,” said Dillon, 
dropping his eyes, perhaps with a feeling of con 
scious unworthiness, but with an air of much hu- 
mility ; u the little justifiable artifice — ” 

“ Ay ! there lies the beauty of the transaction,” 
interrupted the colonel, shoving the bottle from 
him, with the free, open air of a man who never 
harboured disguise ; u you told no lie ; no mean 
deception, that any dog, however base and un- 
worthy, might invent ; but you practised a neat, 
a military, a — a — yes, a classical deception on 
your enemy , a classical deception, that is the 
very term for it! such a deception as Pompey, 
or Mark Antony, or — or — you know those old 

29 


338 


THE PILOT. 


fellows’ names better than I do, Kit ; but name 
the cleverest fellow that ever lived in Greece or 
Rome, and I shall say he is a dunce, compared to 
you. ’Twas a real Spartan trick, both simple and 
honest.” 

It was extremely fortunate for Dillon, that the 
animation of his aged kinsman kept his head and 
body in such constant motion, during this apos- 
trophe, as to intercept the aim that the cock- 
swain was deliberately taking at his head with 
one of Borroughcliffe’s pistols ; and perhaps the 
sense of shame which induced him to sink his face 
on his hands, was another means of saving his life, 
by giving the indignant old seaman time for re- 
flection. 

“ But you have not spoken of the ladies,” said 
Dillon, after a moment’s pause ; u I should hope, 
they have borne the alarm of the day like kins- 
women of the family of Howard.” 

The colonel glanced his eyes around him, as if to 
assure himself they were alone, and dropped his 
voice, as he answered — 

u Ah, Kit ! they have come to, since this rebel 
scoundrel, Griffith, has been brought into the 
Abbey ; we were favoured with the company of 
even Miss Howard, in the dining-room, to-day. 
There was a good deal of 4 dear uncleing,’ and 
4 fears that my life might be exposed by the quar- 
rels and skirmishes of these desperadoes who 
have landed ;’ as if an old fellow, who served 
through the whole war, from ’56 to ’63, was afraid 
to let his nose smell gunpowder any more than if 
it were snuff? But it will be a hard matter to 
wheedle an old soldier out of his allegiance ! This 
Griffith goes to the Tower, at least, Mr. Dillon.” 

44 It would be advisable to commit his person to 
4 he civil authority, without delay.” 


THE PILOT. 


:rs ( j 


u To the constable of the Tower, the Earl Corn- 
wallis, a good and loyal nobleman, who is, at 
this moment, fighting the rebels in my own native 
province, Christopher,” interrupted the colonel; 
u that will be what I call retributive justice ; 
but,” continued the veteran, rising with an air of 
gentlemanly dignity, “ it will not do to permit 
even the constable of the Tower of London to 
surpass the master of St. Ruth in hospitality and 
kindness to his prisoners. I have ordered suitable 
refreshments to their apartments, and it is incum- 
bent on me to see that my commands have been 
properly obeyed. Arrangements must also be 
made for the reception of this Captain Barnstable, 
whr will, doubtless, soon be here.” 

u Withui the hour, at farthest,” said Dillon, 
looking uneasily at his watch. 

u We must be stirring, boy,” continued the 
colonel, moving towards the door that led to the 
apartments of his prisoners ; u but there is a 
courtesy due to the ladies, as well as to those un- 
fortunate violators of the laws — go, Christopher, 
convey my kindest wishes to Cecilia ; she don’t 
deserve them, the obstinate vixen, but then she is 
my brother Harry’s child ! and while there, you 
arch dog, plead your own cause. Mark Antony 
was a fool to you at a 4 ruse,’ and yet Mark was 
one of your successful suitors, too ; there was that 

Queen of the Pyramids ” 

The door closed on the excited veteran, at these 
words, and Dillon was left standing by himself, 
at the side of the table, musing, as if in doubt, 
whether to venture on the step that his kinsman 
had proposed, or not. 

The greater part of the preceding discourse was 
unintelligible to the cockswain, who had waited its 
termination with extraordinary patience, in hopes 


340 


THE PILOT. 


he might obtain some information that he could 
render of service to the captives. Before he had 
time to decide on what was now best for him to 
do, Dillon suddenly determined to venture him- 
self in the cloisters ; and, swallowing a couple of 
glasses of wine in a breath, he passed the hesi- 
tating cockswain, who was concealed by the open- 
ing door, so closely as to brush his person, and 
moved down the gallery with those rapid strides, 
which men, who act under the impulse of forced 
resolutions, are very apt to assume, as if to con- 
ceal their weakness from themselves. — Tom hesi- 
tated no longer, but aiding the impulse given to 
the door by Dillon, as he passed, so as to darken 
the passage, he followed the sounds of the other’s 
footsteps, while he trod, in the manner already 
described, the stone pavement of the gallery. 
Dillon paused an instant at the turning that led to 
the room of Borroughcliffe, but whether irresolute 
which way to urge his steps, or listening to the 
incautious and heavy tread of the cockswain, is 
not known ; if the latter, he mistook them for the 
echoes of his own footsteps, and moved forward 
again without making any discovery. 

The light tap which Dillon gave on the door 
of the withdrawing-room of the cloisters, was 
answered by the soft voice of Cecilia Howard 
herself, who bid the applicant enter. There was 
a slight confusion evident in the manner of the 
gentleman as he complied with the bidding, and in 
its hesitancy, the door w 7 as, for an instant, neglect 
ed. 

“ I come, Miss Howard,” said Dillon, u by the 
commands oFyour uncle, and, permit me to add, 
by my ow r n — 

“ May Heaven shield us !” exclaimed Cecilia, 
clasping her hands in affright, and rising involun 


THE PILOT. 


341 


tarily from her couch ; “ are we, too, to be impri- 
soned and murdered ?” 

u Surely Miss Howard will not impute to me” 

* — Dillon paused, observing that the wild fooks- 
not only of Cecilia, but of Katherine and A) ice 
Dunscombe, also, were directed at some other ob- 
ject, and turning, to his manifest terror he beheld 
the gigantic frame of the cockswain, surmounted 
by an iron visage fixed in settled hostility, in pos- 
session of the only passage from the apartment. 

“ If there’s murder to be done,” said Tom, af- 
ter surveying the astonished group with a stern 
eye, a it’s as likely this here liar will be the one 
to do it, as another ; but you have nothing to fear 
from a man who has followed the seas too long, 
and has grappled with too many monsters, both 
fish and flesh, not to know how to treat a help- 
less woman. None, who know him, will say that 
Thomas Coffin ever used uncivil language, or un- 
seaman-like conduct, to any of his mother’s kind.” 
“ Coffin !” exclaimed Katherine, advancing with 
a more confident air, from the corner, into which 
terror had driven her with her companions. 

a Ay, Coffin,” continued the old sailor, his 
grim features gradually relaxing, as he gazed on 
her bright looks ; “ ’tis a solemn word, but it’s a 
name that passes over the shoals, among the islands, 
and along the cape, oftener than any other. My 
father was a Coffin, and my mother was a Joy ; 
and the two names can count more flukes than 
all the rest in the island together ; though the 
Worths, and the Gar’ners, and the Swaines, dart 
better harpoons, and set truer lances, than any men 
who come from the weather-side of the Atlantic.” 
Katherine listened to this digression in honour 
of the whalers of Nantucket, with marked com- 

29 * 


342 


THE PILOT. 


placency, and, when he concluded, she repeated, 
slowly — 

u Coffin ! this, then, is long Tom !” 

“ Ay, ay, long Tom, and no sham in the name 
either,” returned the cockswain, suffering the 
stern indignation that had lowered around his 
hard visage, to relax into a low laugh, as he gazed 
on her animated features ; u the Lord bless your 
smiling face and bright black eyes, young madam ! 
you have heard of old long Tom, then ? most 
likely, ’twas something about the blow he strikes 
at the fish — ah ! I’m old and Tin stiff, now, young 
madam, but, afore I was nineteen, I stood at the 
head of the dance, at a ball on the cape, and that 
with a partner almost as handsome as yourself — 
ay! and this was after I had three broad flukes 
logged against my name.” 

u No,” said Katherine, advancing in her eager- 
ness a step or two nigher to the old tar, her cheeks 
flushing while she spoke, u I had heard of you as 
an instructer in a seaman’s duty, as the faithful 
cockswain, nay, I may say, as the devoted com- 
panion and friend of Mr. Richard Barnstable — but, 
perhaps, you come now as the bearer of some mes- 
sage or letter from that gentleman.” 

The sound of his commander’s name sudden- 
ly revived the recollection of Coffin, and with it, 
all the fierce sternness of his manner returned. 
Bending his eyes keenly on the cowering form of 
Dillon, he said, in those deep, harsh tones, that 
seem peculiar to men, who have braved the ele- 
ments, until they appear to have imbibed some of 
their roughest qualities — 

u Liar ! how now? what brought old Tom 
Coffin into these shoals and narrow channels ? 
was it a letter ? ha ! but by the Lord that maketh 


THE PILOT. 


343 


the winds to blow, and teacheth the lost mariner 
how to steer over the wide waters, you shall 
sleep this night, villain, on the planks of the 
Ariel ; and if it be the will of God, that beautiful 
piece of handicraft is to sink at her moorings, 
like a worthless hulk, ye shall still sleep in her; 
ay, and a sleep that shall not end. till they call 
all hands, to foot up the day Vwork of this life, at 
the close of man’s longest voyage.” 

The extraordinary vehemence, the language, 
the attitude of the old seaman, commanding in its 
energy, and the honest indignation that shone 
in every look of his keen eyes, together with the 
nature of the address, and its paralyzing effect on 
Dillon, who quailed before it like the stricken 
deer, united to keep the female listeners, for many 
moments, silent through amazement. During 
this brief period, Tom advanced upon his nerve- 
less victim, and lashing his arms together behind 
his back, he fastened him, by a strong cord, to 
the broad canvass belt that he constantly wore 
around his own body, leaving to himself by this 
arrangement, the free use of his arms and weapons 
of offence, while he secured his captive. 

“ Surely,” said Cecilia, recovering her recol- 
lection the first of the astonished group, “ Mr. 
Barnstable has not commissioned you to offer 
this violence to my uncle’s kinsman, under the 
roof of Colonel Howard ? — Miss Plowden, your 
friend has strangely forgotten himself in this trans- 
action, if this man acts in obedience to his order !” 
“ My friend, my cousin Howard,” returned 
Katherine, u would never commission his cock- 
swain, or any one, to do an unworthy deed. 
Speak, honest sailor ; why do you commit this 
outrage on the worthy Mr. Dillon, Colonel How- 


344 


THE PILOT. 


ard’s kinsman, and a cupboard cousin of St. Ruth ? s 
Abbey ?” 

“ Nay, Katherine — ” 

“ Nay, Cecilia, be patient, and let the stranger 
have utterance ; he may solve the difficulty alto- 
gether.” 

O ^ # 

The cockswain, understanding that an expla- 
nation was expected from his lips, addressed him- 
self to the task with an energy suitable both to 
the subject and to his own feelings. In a very 
few words, though a little obscured by his pecu- 
liar diction, he made his listeners understand the 
confidence that Barnstable had reposed in Dillon, 
and the treachery of the latter. They heard him 
with increased astonishment, and Cecilia hardly al- 
lowed him time to conclude, before she exclaimed — - 

w And did Colonel Howard, could Colonel How- 
ard listen to this treacherous project !” 

u Ay, they spliced it together among them,” re- 
turned Tom; “though one part of this cruise will 
turn out but badly.” 

“ Even Borroughcliffe, cold and hardened as he 
appears to be by habit, would spurn at such dis- 
honour,” added Miss How ard. 

“ But, Mr. Barnstable ?” at length Katherine 
succeeded in saying, when her feelings permitted 
her utterance, “ said you not, that soldiers were in 
quest of him ?” 

“ Ay, ay, young madam,” the cockswain repli- 
ed, smiling with grim ferocity, “ they are in 
chase, but he has shifted his anchorage ; and even 
if they should find him, his long pikes would 
make short work of a dozen red-coats. The 
Lord of tempests and calms have mercy, though, 
on the schooner! Ah, young madam, she is as 
lovely to the eyes of an old seafaring man, as any 
of your kind can be to human nature !” 


THE PILOT. 


4C But why this delay ? — away then, honest Tom, 
and reveal the treachery to your commander ; you 
may not yet be too late — why delay a moment ?” 

“ The ship tarries for want of a pilot — I could 
carry three fathom over the shoals of Nantucket, 
the darkest night that ever shut the windows of 
heaven, but I should be likely to run upon break- 
ers in this navigation. As k was, I was near get- 
ting into company that I should have had to fight 
my way out of.” 

“If that be all, follow me,” cried the ardent 
Katherine ; “ I will conduct you to a path that 
leads to the ocean, without approaching the sen- 
tinels.” 

Until this moment, Dillon had entertained a 
secret expectation of a rescue, but when he heard 
this proposal, he felt his blood retreating to his 
heart, from every part of his agitated frame, and 
his last hope seemed wrested from him. Raising 
himself from the abject, shrinking attitude, in 
which both shame and dread had conspired to keep 
him as though he had been fettered to the spot, he 
approached Cecilia, and cried, in tones of horror — 

a Do not, do not consent, Miss Howard, to 
abandon me to the fury of this man! Your uncle, 
your honourable uncle, even now, applauded and 
united with me in my enterprise, which is no more 
than a common artifice in war.” 

“ My uncle would unite, Mr. Dillon, in no pre- 
lect of deliberate treachery, like this,” said Ce- 
cilia, coldly. 

“ He did, I swear by — ” 

“ Liar !” interrupted the deep tones of the 
cockswain. 

Dillon shivered with agony and terror, while 
the sounds of this appalling voice sunk into his in- 
most soul ; but as the gloom of the night, the 


346 


THE PILOT. 


secret ravines of the cliffs, and the turbulence of 
the ocean, flashed across his imagination, he again 
yielded to a dread of the horrors to which he 
should be exposed, in encountering them at the 
mercy of his powerful enemy, and he continued 
his solicitations — 

“ Hear me, once more hear me — Miss Howard, 
I beseech you, hear me ! Am I not of your own 
blood and country ? w T ill you see me abandoned 
to the wild, merciless, malignant fury of this man, 
who will transfix me with that — oh, God ! if you 
had but seen the sight I beheld m the Alacrity ! 
— hear me, Miss Howard, for the love you bear 
your Maker, intercede for me ! Mr. Griffith shall 
be released — 55 

u Liar ! 55 again interrupted the cockswain. 

“ What promises he asked Cecilia, turning her 
averted face once more at the miserable captive. 

u Nothing that will be fulfilled , 57 said Katherine ; 
“ follow, honest Tom, and I, at least, will conduct 
you in good faith . 55 

“ Cruel, obdurate Miss Plowden ; gentle, kind 
Miss Alice, you will not refuse to raise your voice 
in my favour ; your heart is not hardened by any 
imaginary dangers to those you love . 55 

“ Nay, address not me , 55 said Alice, bending 
her meek eyes to the floor ; u I trust your life is 
in no danger, and I pray that he who has the power, 
will have the mercy, to see you unharmed . 55 

u Away , 55 said Tom, grasping the collar of the 
helpless Dillon, and rather carrying than leading 
him into the gallery : u if a sound, one quarter 
as loud as a young porpoise makes, when he 
draws his first breath, comes from you, villain, 
you shall see the sight of the Alacrity over again. 
My harpoon keeps its edge well, and the old arm 
can yet drive it to the seizing . 55 


THE PILOT. 


34 ? 

This menace effectually silenced even the hard, 
perturbed breathings of the captive, who, with 
his conductor, followed the light steps of Kathe- 
rine through some of the secret mazes of the 
building, until, in a few minutes, they issued 
through a small door, into the open air. Without 
pausing to deliberate, Miss Plowden led the 
cockswain through the grounds, to a different 
wicket from the one by which he had entered the 
paddock, and pointing to the path, which might 
be dimly traced along the faded herbage, she bad 
God bless him, in a voice that discovered her in- 
terest in his safety, and vanished from his sight, 
like an aerial being. 

Tom needed no incentive to his speed, now 
that his course lay so plainly before him, but, 
loosening his pistols in his belt, and poising his 
harpoon, he crossed the fields at a gait that com- 
pelled his companion to exert his utmost powers, 
in the way of walking, to equal. Once or twice, 
Dillon ventured to utter a word or two, but a 
stern u silence” from the cockswain, warned him 
to cease, until, perceiving that they were ap- 
proaching the cliffs, he made a final effort to ob- 
tain his liberty, by hurriedly promising a large 
bribe. The cockswain made no reply, and the 
captive was secretly hoping that his scheme was 
producing its wonted effects, when he unexpectedly 
felt the keen cold edge of the barbed iron of the 
harpoon pressing against his breast, through the 
opening of his ruffles, and even raising the skin. 

“ Liar,” said Tom, “another word, and I’ll 
drive it through your heart !” 

From that moment, Dillon was as silent as the 
grave. They reached the edge of the cliffs, with- 
out encountering the party that had been sent in 
quest of Barnstable, and at a point near where 


348 


THE PILOT. 


they bad landed. The old seaman paused an 
instant on the verge of the precipice, and cast his 
experienced eyes along the wide expanse of water 
that lay before him. The sea was no longer sleep- 
ing, but already in heavy motion, and rolling 
its surly waves against the base of the rocks 
on which he stood, scattering their white crests 
high in foam. The cockswain, after bending 
his looks along the whole line of the eastern ho- 
rizon, gave utterance to a low and stifled groan, 
and then striking the staff of his harpoon vio- 
lently against the earth, he pursued his way along 
the very edge of the cliffs, muttering certain 
dreadful denunciations, which the conscience of 
his appalled listener did not fail to apply to him- 
self. It appeared to the latter, that his angry 
and excited leader sought the giddy verge of the pre- 
cipice with a sort of wanton recklessness, so dai- 
ing were the steps that he took along its brow, not- 
withstanding fj the darkness of the hour, and the vio- 
lence of the blasts that occasionally rushed by them, 
leaving behind a kind of reaction, that more than 
once brought the life of the manacled captive in 
imminent jeopardy. But it would seem, the wary 
cockswain had a motive for this, apparently, incon- 
siderate desperation. When they had made good 
quite half the distance between the point where 
Barnstable had landed, and that where he had 
appointed to meet his cockswain, the sounds of 
voices were brought indistinctly to their ears, ii? 
one of the momentary pauses of the rushing winds 
and caused the cockswain to make a dead stand 
in his progress. He listened intently for a single 
minute, w r hen his resolution appeared to be taken. 
He turned to Dillon, and spoke ; but though his 
voice was suppressed and low, it was deep and 
resolute* 


THE PILOT.* 


349 


u One word, and you die ; over the cliffs * You 
must take a seaman’s ladder ; there is footing on 
the rocks, and crags for your hands. Over the 
cliff, I bid ye, or I’ll cast ye into the sea, as I would 
a dead enemy !” 

u Mercy, mercy !” implored Dillon ; u I could 
not do it in the day; by this light I shall surely 
perish.” 

u Over with ye !” said Tom, u or — ” 

Dillon waited for no more, but descended, with 
trembling steps, the dangerous precipice which lay 
before him. He was followed by the cockswain, 
with a haste that unavoidably dislodged his cap- 
tive from the trembling stand he had taken on the 
shelf of a rock, who, to his increased horror, found 
himself dangling in the air, his body impending 
over the sullen surf, that was tumbling in, with 
violence, upon the rocks beneath him. An invo- 
luntary shriek burst from Dillon, as he felt his 
person thrust from the narrow shelf, and his cry 
sounded amidst the tempest, like the screechings 
of the spirit of the storm. 

u Another such call, and I cut your tow-line, 
villain,” said the determined seaman, u when no- 
thing short of eternity will bring you up.” ' 

The sounds of footsteps and voices were now 
distinctly audible, and presently a party of armed 
men appeared on the edges of the rocks, directly 
above them. 

“ It w r as a human voice,” said one of them, “ and 
like a man in distress.” 

“ It cannot be the men we are sent in search of,” 
returned Sergeant Drill ; u for no watchword that 
I ever heard sounded like that cry.” 

“ They say, that such cries are often heard, in 
storms, along this coast,” said a voice, that w r as 
uttered with less of military confidence than the 

30 


350 


THE PILOT. 


two others; u and they are thought to come from 
drowned seamen.” 

A feeble laugh arose among the listeners, and 
one or two forced jokes were made, at the ex- 
pense of their superstitious comrade ; but the 
scene did not fail to produce its effect on even 
the most sturdy among the unbelievers in the 
marvellous ; for, after a few more similar remarks, 
the whole party retired from the cliffs, at a pace 
that might have been accelerated by the nature ol 
their discourse. The cockswain, who had stood, 
all this time, firm as the rock which supported 
him, bearing up not only his own weight, but tke 
person of Dillon also, raised his head above the 
brow of the precipice, as they withdrew to recon- 
noitre, and then drawing up the nearly insensible 
captive, and placing him in safety on the bank, he 
followed himself. Not a moment was wasted in 
unnecessary explanations, but Dillon found himself 
again urged forward, with the same velocity as 
before. In a few minutes they gained the desired 
ravine, down which Tom plunged, with a seaman’s 
nerve, dragging his prisoner after him, and direct- 
ly they stood where the waves rose to their feet, as 
they flowed far and foaming across the sands.- — 
The cockswain stooped so low as to bring the 
crests of the billows in a line with the horizon, 
when he discovered the dark boat playing in the 
outer edge of the surf. 

u What hoa ! Ariels there !” shouted Tom, in 
a voice that the growing tempest carried to the 
ears of the retreating soldiers, who quickened 
their footsteps, as they listened to sounds wdiich 
their fears taught them to believe unnatural. 

“ Who hails ?” cried the well-known voice of 
Barnstable. 

u Once your master, now your servant,” 


an- 


THE PILOT 


351 


swered the cockswain, with a watch-word of his 
own invention. 

u ’Tis he,” returned the lieutenant ; “ veer 
away, boys, veer away. You must wade into the 
surf.” 

Tom caught Dillon in his arms, and throwing 
him, like a cork, across his shoulder, he dashed 
into the streak of foam that was bearing the boat 
on its crest, and before his companion had time 
for remonstrance or entreaty, he found himself 
once more by the side of Barnstable. 

“ Who have we here ?” asked the lieutenant ; 
a this is not Griffith !” 

a Haul out and weigh your grapnel,” said the 
excited cockswain ; “ and then, boys, if you love 
the Ariel, pull while the life and the will is left in 
you.” 

Barnstable knew his man, and not another 
question was asked, until the boat was without the 
breakers, now skimming the rounded summits of 
the waves, or settling into the hollows of the seas, 
but always cutting the waters asunder, as she 
urged her course, with amazing velocity, towards 
the haven where the schooner had been left at 
anchor. Then, in a few, but bitter sentences, 
the cockswain explained to his commander the 
treachery of Dillon, and the danger of the schoon- 
er. 

u The soldiers are slow at a night muster,” 
Tom concluded, u and from what I overheard, 
the express will have to make a crooked course, 
to double the head of the bay, so that but for 
this north-easter, w T e might weather upon them 
yet ; but it’s a matter that lies altogether in the 
will of Providence. Pull, my hearties, pull — - 
every thing depends on your oars to-night.” 

Barnstable listened in deep silence to this unex- 


352 


THE PILOT. 


pected narration, which sounded in the ears of 
Dillon like his funeral knell. At length, the sup- 
pressed voice of the lieutenant was heard, also, ut- 
tering — 

“Wretch ! if l should cast you into the sea, as 
food for the fishes, who could blame me ? But if 
my schooner goes to the bottom, she shall prove 
you coffin !” 


CHAPTER XXIII. 




“Had I been any god of power, I would 
Have sunk the sea within the earth, ere 
It should the good ship so have swallowed.” 

Tempest. 


The arms of Dillon were released from their 
onfinement by the cockswain, as a measure of 
humane caution against accidents, when they en- 
tered the surf ; and the captive now availed him- 
self of the circumstance to bury his features in 
the folds of his attire, when he brooded over the 
events of the last few hours with that mixture of 
malignant passion and pusillanimous dread of the 
future, that formed the chief ingredients in his 
character. From this state of apparent quie- 
tude, neither Barnstable nor Tom seemed dispos- 
ed to rouse him by their remarks, for both were 
too much engaged with their own gloomy forebo- 
dings, to indulge in any unnecessary words. An 
occasional ejaculation from the former, as if to 
propitiate the spirit of the storm, as he gazed on 
the troubled appearance of the elements, or a 
cheering cry from the latter, to animate his crew, 
were alone heard amid the sullen roaring of the 
waters, and the mournful whistling of the winds, 
that swept heavily across the broad waste of the 
German Ocean. There might have been an hour 
consumed thus, in a vigorous struggle Detween 
the seamen and the growing billows, when the boat 
doubled the northern headland of the desired 

30 * 


354 


THE PILOT. 


haven, and shot, at once, from its boisterous pas- 
sage along the margin of the breakers, into the 
placid waters of the sequestered bay. The pass- 
ing blasts were still heard rushing above the high 
lands that surrounded, and, in fact, formed the 
estuary, but the profound stillness of deep night 
pervaded the secret recesses, along the unruffled 
surface of its waters. The shadows of the hills 
seemed to have accumulated, like a mass of 
gloom, in the centre of the basin, and though 
every eye involuntarily turned to search, it was 
in vain that the anxious seamen endeavoured to 
discover their little vessel through its density. 
While the boat glided into this quiet scene, Barn- 
stable anxiously observed — 

“ Every thing is as still as death.” 

“ God send it is not the stillness of death !” 
ejaculated the cockswain. u Here, here,” he con- 
tinued, speaking in a lower tone, as if fearful of 
being overheard, “here she lies, sir, more to- 
port ; look into the streak of clear sky above the 
marsh, on the starboard hand of the wood, there ; 
that long black line is her main-top-mast ; 1 
know it by the rake ; and there is her night-pen- 
nant fluttering about that bright star ; ay, ay, 
sir, there go our own stars aloft yet, dancing 
among the stars in the heavens ! God bless her f 
God bless her ! she rides as easy and as quiet as a 
gull asleep !” 

u I believe all in her sleep too,” returned his 
commander. u Ha ! by heaven, we have arrived 
in good time : the soldiers are moving !” 

The quick eye of Barnstable had detected the 
glimmering of passing lanterns, as they flitted 
across the embrasures of the battery, and at the 
next moment, the guarded but distinct sounds oi 
an active bustle, on the decks of the schooner, 


THE PILOT. 


355 


were plainly audible. The lieutenant was rubbing 
his hands together, with a sort of ecstasy, that 
probably will not be understood by the great ma- 
jority of our readers, while long Tom was actually 
indulging in a paroxysm of his low spiritless 
laughter, as these certain intimations of the safety 
of the Ariel, and of the vigilance of her crew, were 
conveyed to their ears ; when the whole hull and 
taper spars of their floating home became unex- 
pectedly visible, and the sky, the placid basin, and 
the adjacent hills, were illuminated by a flash as 
sudden and as vivid as the keenest lightning. 
Both Barnstable and his cockswain seemed in- 
stinctively to strain their eyes towards the schoon- 
er, with an effort to surpass human vision ; but 
ere the rolling reverberations of the report of a 
heavy piece of ordnance, from the heights, had 
commenced, the dull, whistling rush of the shot 
swept over their heads, like the moaning of a 
hurricane, and was succeeded by the plash of the 
waters, which was followed, in a breath, by the 
rattling of the mass of iron, as it bounded with vio- 
lent fury from rock to rock, shivering and tearing 
the fragments that lined the margin of the bay. 

“ A bad aim with the first gun generally leaves 
your enemy clean decks,” said the cockswain, with 
his deliberate sort of philosophy ; “ smoke makes 
but dim spectacles ; besides, the night always 
grows darkest, as you call off the morning watch.” 
u That boy is a miracle for his years !” rejoin- 
ed the delighted lieutenant. “ See, Tom, the 
younker has shifted his birth, in the dark, and the 
Englishmen have fired by the day-range they 
must have taken, for we left him in a direct line 
between the battery and yon hommoc ! What 
would have become of us, if that heavy fellow 


350 


THE PILOT. 


had plunged upon our decks, and gone out below 
the water-line !” 

u We should have sunk into English mud, for 
eternity, as sure as our metal and kentledge 
would have taken us down,” responded Tom ; 
“ such a point-blanker would have tom off a 
streak of our wales, outboard, and not even left 
the marines time to say a prayer ! — tend bow 
there I” 

It is not to be supposed that the crew of the 
whale-boat continued idle, during this interchange 
of opinions between the lieutenant and his cock- 
swain ; on the contrary, the sight of their vessel 
acted on them like a charm, and, believing that 
all necessity for caution was now over, they had 
expended their utmost strength in efforts, that had 
already brought them, as the last words of Tom 
indicated, to the side of the Ariel. Though every 
nerve of Barnstable was thrilling with the ex- 
citement produced by his feelings passing from 
a state of the most doubtful apprehension to 
that of a revived and almost confident hope of 
effecting his escape, he assumed the command of 
his vessel with all that stern but calm authority, 
that seamen find it most necessary to exert in the 
moments of extremest danger. Any one of 
the heavy shot that their enemies continued to 
hurl from their heights into the darkness of the 
haven, he well knew must prove fatal to them, 
as it would, unavoidably, pass through the slight 
fabric of the Ariel, and open a passage to the wa- 
ter, that no means he possessed could remedy. — 
His mandates, were, therefore, issued, with a full 
perception of the critical nature of the emergen- 
cy, but with that collectedness of manner, and 
intonation of voice, that were best adapted to en- 


THE PILOT. 


357 


force a ready and animated obedience. Under 
this impulse, the crew of the schooner soon got 
their anchor freed from the bottom, and, seizing 
their sweeps, they forced her, by their united ef- 
forts, directly in the face of the battery, under 
that shore, whose summit was now crowned with 
a canopy of smoke, that every discharge of the 
ordnance tinged with dim colours, like the faintest 
tints that are reflected from the clouds toward a 
setting sun. So long as the seamen were enabled 
to keep their little bark under the cover of the 
hill, they were, of course, safe ; but Barnstable 
perceived, as they emerged from its shadow, and 
were drawing nigh the passage which led into 
the ocean, that the action of his sweeps would 
no longer avail them against the currents of air 
they encountered, neither would the darkness 
conceal their movements from his enemy, who 
had already employed men on the shore to dis- 
cern the position of the schooner. Throwing off 
at once, therefore, all appearance of disguise, he 
gave forth the word to spread the canvass of his 
vessel, in his ordinary cheerful manner. 

u Let them do their w T orst now, Merry,” he 
added ; u we have brought them to a distance that 
I think will keep their iron above water, and we 
have no dodge about us, younker !” 

“ It must be keener marksmen than the militia, 
or volunteers, or fencibles, or whatever they call 
themselves, behind yon grass-bank, to frighten 
the saucy Ariel from the wind,” returned the reck- 
less boy ; “ but why have you brought Jonah 
aboard us again, sir ? Look at him by the light of 
the cabin lamp ; he winks at every gun as if he 
expected the shot would hull his own ugly, yellow 
physiognomy. And what tidings have we, sir* 
fro?n Mr Griffith, and the marine ?” 


358 


THE PILOT. 


“ Name him not,” said Barnstable, pressing the 
shoulder on which he lightly leaned, with a con- 
vulsive grasp, that caused the boy to yield with 
pain ; “ name him not, Merry ; I want my temper 
and my faculties at this moment undisturbed, and 
thinking of the wretch unfits me for my duty. But, 
there will come a time ! go forward, sir ; we feel 
the wind, and have a narrow passage to work 
through.” 

The boy obeyed a mandate wdiieh was given 
in the usual prompt manner of their profession, 
and which, he well understood, w r as intended to 
intimate, that the distance which years and rank 
had created between them, but which Barnstable 
often chose to forget while communing with 
Merry, was now to be resumed. The sails had 
been loosened and set ; and, as the vessel approach- 
ed the throat of the passage, the gale, which w as 
blowing with increasing violence, began to make 
a very sensible impression on the Tight bark. The 
cockswain, who, in the absence of most of the in- 
ferior officers, had been acting, on the forecastle, 
the part of one who felt, from his years and expe- 
rience, that he had some right to advise, if not to 
command, at such a juncture, now w r alked to the 
station which his commander had taken, near the 
helmsman, as if willing to place himself in the way 
of being seen. 

“ Well, Master Coffin,” said Barnstable, who 
well understood the propensity his old shipmate 
had to commune with him, on all important oc- 
casions, u what think you of the cruise now 7 r 
Those gentlemen on the hill make a great noise, 
but I have lost even the wffiistling of their shot ] 
one w 7 ould think they could see our sails against 
the broad band of light which is opening to sea- 
ward ” 


THE PILOT. 


359 


* 


“ Ay, ay, sir, they see us, and mean to hit us, 
too, but we are running across their fire, and that 
with a ten-knot breeze ; but, when we heave in 
stays, and get in a line with their guns, we shall 
see, and it may be, feel, more of their work than 
we do now ; a thirty-two an’t trained as easily as 
a fowling-piece or a ducking gun . 55 

Barnstable was struck with the truth of this ob- 
servation, but as there existed an immediate neces- 
sity for placing the schooner in the very situation 
to which the other alluded, he gave his orders at 
once, and the vessel came about, and ran with her 
head pointing towards the sea, in as short a time as 
we have taken to record it. 

a There, they have us now, or never , 55 cried the 
lieutenant, when the evolution was completed. u If 
we fetch to windward of the northern point, we 
shall lay out into the offing, and in ten minutes we 
might laugh at Queen Anne’s pocket-piece, which, 
you know, old boy, sent a ball from Dover to Ca- 
lais . 55 

cc Ay, sir, I’ve heard of the gun , 55 returned the 
grave seaman, u and a lively piece it must have 
been, if the streights were always of the same 
width they are now. But I see that, Captain 
Barnstable, which is more dangerous than a 
dozen of the heaviest cannon that were ever cast 
can be at half a league’s distance. The water 
is bubbling through our lee-scuppers, already, 
sir.” 

u And what of that ? haven’t I buried her guns 
often, and yet kept every spar in her without 
crack or splinter ?” 

u Ay, ay, sir, you have done it, and can do it 
again, where there is sea-room, which is all that a 
man wants for comfort in this life. But when we 


360 


THE PILOT. 


are out of these chops, we shall be embayed, with 
a heavy north-easter setting dead into the bight ; 
it is that which I fear, Captain Barnstable, more 
than all the powder and ball in the whole island.” 
“ And yet, Tom, the balls are not to be despised, 
either ; those fellows have found out their range, 
and send their iron within hail, again : we walk 
pretty fast, Mr. Coffin, but a thirty- two can out- 
travel us, with the best wind that ever blew.” 
Tom threw a cursory glance towards the bat- 
tery, which had renewed its fire with a spirit that 
denoted they saw their object, as he answered — 

“ It is never worth a man’s while to strive to 
dodge a shot, for they are all commissioned to do 
their work, the same as a ship is commissioned to 
cruise in certain latitudes; but for the winds and 
the weather, they are given for a seafaring man 
to guard against, by making or shortening sail, 
as the case may be. Now, the headland to the 
southward stretches full three leagues to wind- 
ward, and the shoals lie to the north ; among which 
God keep us from ever running this craft again !” 
u We will beat her out of the bight, old fellow,” 
cried the lieutenant ; u we shall have a leg of three 
leagues in length to do it in.” 

u I have known longer legs too short,” returned 
the cockswain, shaking his head ; u a tumbling 
sea, with a lee-tide, on a lee-shore, makes a sad 
lee-way.” 

The lieutenant was in the act of replying to 
this saying, with a cheerful laugh, when the 
whistling of a passing shot was instantly suc- 
ceeded by the crash of splintered wood, and at 
the next moment the head of the main-mast, after 
tottering for an instant in the gale, fell toward 
the deck, bringing with it the main-sail, and the 


THE PILOT. 


361 


long line of top-mast, that had neen bearing the 
emblems of America, as the cockswain had ex- 
pressed it, among the stars of the heavens. 

“ That was a most unlucky hit !” Barnstable 
suffered to escape him, in the concern of the mo- 
ment ; but, instantly resuming ail his collect- 
edness of manner and voice, he gave his orders 
to clear the wreck, and secure the fluttering can- 
vass. 

The mournful forebodings of Tom seemed to 
vanish with the appearance of a necessity for his 
exertions, and he was foremost among the crew 
in executing the orders of their commander. 
The loss of all the sail on the main-mast forced 
the Ariel so much from her course, as to render 
it difficult to weather the point, that jutted, under 
her lee, for some distance into the ocean. This 
desirable object was, however, effected, by the 
skill of Barnstable, aided by the excellent pro- 
perties of his vessel ; and the schooner, borne 
down by the power of the gale, from whose fury 
she had now no protection, passed heavily along 
the land, heading, as far as possible, from the 
breakers, while the seamen were engaged in 
making their preparations to display as much of 
their main-sail, as the stump of the mast would 
allow them to spread. The firing from the bat- 
tery ceased, as the Ariel rounded the little pro 
montory ; but Barnstable, whose gaze was now 
bent intently on the ocean, soon perceived that, as 
his cockswain had predicted, he had a much more 
threatening danger to encounter, in the elements. 
When their damages were repaired, so far as 
circumstances would permit, the cockswain re- 
turned to his wonted station near the lieutenant, 
and after a momentary pause, during which his 

31 


362 


THE PILOT. 


eyes roved over the rigging, with a seaman’s 
scrutiny, he resumed the discourse. 

“ It would have been better for us that the best 
man in the schooner should have been dubb’d of a 
limb, by that shot, than that the Ariel should 
have lost her best leg ; a main-sail close-ieefed, 
may be prudent canvass, as the wind blows, but it 
holds a poor luff to keep a craft to windward.” 

u What would you have, Tom Coffin !” re- 
torted his commander. u You see she draws 
ahead, and off-shore ; do you expect a vessel to 
fly in the very teeth of the gale, or would you 
have me wear and beach her, at once ?” 

u I would have nothing, nothing, Captain 
Barnstable,” returned the old seaman, sensibly 
touched at his commander’s displeasure : “ you 
are as able as any man who ever trod a plank to 
wnrk her into an offing ; but, sir, when that sol- 
dier-officer told me of the scheme to sink the 
Ariel at her anchor, there were such feelings 
come athwart my philosophy as never crossed it 
afore. I thought 1 saw her a wrack, as plainly 
ay, as plainly as you may see the stump of that 
mast ; and, I will own it, for it’s as natural to love 
the craft you sail in as it is to love one’s self, I will 
own that my manhood fetched a heavy lee-lurch at 
the sight.” 

“ Away with ye, ye old sea-croaker ! forward 
with ye, and see that the head-sheets are trimmed 
fla A . But hold ! come hither, Tom ; if you have 
sights of wrecks, and sharks, and other beautiful 
objects, keep them stowed in your own silly brain ; 
don’t make a ghost-parlour of my forecastle. The 
lads oegin to look to leeward, now, oftener than 1 
would have them. Go, sirrah, go, and take ex- 
ample from Mr. Merry, who is seated on your 


THE PILOT. 


303 


namesake there, and is singing as if he were a 
chorister in his father’s church.” 

“ Ah, Captain Barnstable, Mr. Merry is a boy, 
and knows nothing, so fears nothing. But I shall 
obey your orders, sir ; and if the men fall astern, 
this gale, it shan’t be for any thing they’ll hear 
from old Tom Coffin.” 

The cockswain lingered a moment, notwith- 
standing his promised obedience, and then ven- 
tured to request, that — • 

u Captain Barnstable would please to call Mr, 
Merry from the gun ; for I know, from having 
followed the seas my natural life, that singing 
in a gale is sure to bring the wind down upon a 
vessel the heavier ; for He who rules the tempests 
is displeased that man’s voice shall be heard, 
when He chooses to send His own breath on the 
water.” 

Barnstable was at a loss, whether to laugh at 
his cockswain’s infirmity, or to yield to the im- 
pression which his earnest and solemn manner 
had a powerful tendency to produce, amid such a 
scene. But, making an effort to shake off the 
superstitious awe that he felt creeping around 
his own heart, the lieutenant relieved the mind 
of the worthy seaman so far as to call the care- 
less boy from his perch, to his own side ; where 
respect for the sacied character of the quarter- 
deck instantly put an end to the lively air he had 
been humming. Tom walked slowly forward, 
apparently much relieved by the reflection that he 
had effected so important an object. 

The Ariel continued to struggle against the 
winds and ocean for several hours longer, before 
the day broke on the tempestuous scene, and the 
anxious mariners were enabled to form a more 
accurate estimate of their real danger. As the 


364 


THE PILOT. 


violence of the gale increased, the canvass of the 
schooner had been gradually reduced, until she 
was unable to show more than was absolutely 
necessary to prevent her driving helplessly on the 
land. Barnstable watched the appearance of the 
weather, as the light slowly opened upon them, 
with an intense anxiety, which denoted that 
the presentiments of the cockswain were no lon- 
ger deemed idle. On looking to windward, he 
beheld the green masses of water that were roll- 
ing in towards the land, with a violence that 
seemed irresistible, crowned with ridges of foam ; 
and there were moments when the air appeared 
filled with sparkling gems, as the rays of the 
rising sun fell upon the spray that was swept 
from w T ave to wave. Toward the land, the view 
w r as still more appalling. The cliffs, but a short 
half-league under the lee of the schooner, were, 
at times, nearly hid from the eye by the pyramids 
of water, which the furious element, so suddenly 
restrained in its violence, cast high into the air, 
as if seeking to overleap the boundaries that na- 
ture had affixed to its dominion. The whole 
coast, from the distant headland at the south, to 
the well-known shoals that stretched far beyond 
their course, in the opposite direction, displayed 
a broad belt of foam, into which it would have 
been certain destruction, for the proudest ship 
that swam, to have entered. Still the Ariel 
floated on the billow r s, lightly and in safety, 
though yielding to the impulses of the waters 
and, at times, appearing to be engulphed in the 
yawning chasms, which, apparently, opened be- 
neath her to receive the little fabric. The low r 
rumour of acknowledged danger had found its 
way through the schooner, and the seamen, after 
fastening their hopeless looks on the small spot of 


THE PILOT. 


365 


canvass that they were still able to show to the 
tempest, would turn to view T the dreary line of 
coast, that seemed to offer so gloomy an alterna- 
tive. Even Dillon, to whom the report of their 
danger had found its way, crept from his place of 
concealment in the cabin, and moved about the 
decks, unheeded, devouring, with greedy ears, 
such opinions as fell from the lips of the sullen 
mariners. 

At this moment of appalling apprehension, 
the cockswain exhibited the calmest resignation. 
He knew all had been done, that lay in the 
power of man, to urge their little vessel from 
the land, and it was now too evident to his 
experienced eyes, that it had been done in vain ; 
but, considering himself as a sort of fixture in 
the schooner, he was quite prepared to abide her 
fate, be it for better or for worse. The settled 
look of gloom that gathered around the frank 
brow of Barnstable, was in no degree connected 
with any considerations of himself, but, proceed- 
ed from that sort of parental responsibility, from 
which the sea-commander is never exempt. The 
discipline of the crew, however, still continued 
perfect and unyielding. There had, it is true, 
been a slight movement made by one or two of 
the older seamen, which indicated an intention 
to drown the apprehensions of death in ebriety ; 
but Barnstable had called for his pistols, in a 
tone that checked the procedure instantly, and, 
although the fatal weapons were, untouched 
by him, left to lie exposed on the capstan, 
where they had been placed by his servant, not 
another symptom of insubordination appeared 
among the devoted crew. There was even, what 
to a landsman might seem an appalling affectation 

of attention to the most trifling duties of the ves- 

31 * 


366 


THE PILOT. 


sel ; and the men, who, it should seem, ought to 
be devoting the brief moments of their existence 
to the mighty business of the hour, were con- 
stantly called to attend to the most trivial details 
of their profession. Ropes were coiled, and the 
slightest damages occasioned by the waves, which, 
at short intervals, swept across the low decks of 
the Ariel, were repaired, with the same precision 
and order, as if she yet lay embayed in the haven 
from which she had just been driven. In this 
manner the arm of authority was kept extended 
over the silent crew, not with the vain desire to 
preserve a lingering though useless exercise of 
power, but with a view to maintain that unity of 
action, that now could alone afford them even a 
ray of hope. 

u She can make no head against this sea, un- 
der that rag of canvass,” said Barnstable, gloom- 
ily ; addressing the cockswain, wiio, with folded 
arms, and an air of cool resignation, was balanc- 
ing his body on the verge of the quarter-deck, 
while the schooner was plunging madly into 
waves that nearly buried her in their bosom : 
“ the poor little thing trembles like a frightened 
child, as she meets the water.” 

Tom sighed heavily, and shook his head, before 
he answered — 

u If we could have kept the head of the main- 
mast an hour longer, we might have got an offing, 
and fetched to windward of the shoals ; but as it 
is, sir, mortal man can’t drive a craft to wind- 
ward — she sets bodily in to land, and will be in 
the breakers in less than an hour, unless God wills 
that the wind shall cease to blow.” 

“We have no hope left us, but to anchor; oui 
ground tackle may yet bring her up.” 

Tom turned to his commander, and replied, so* 


THE PILOT. 


367 


femnly, and with that assurance of manner, that 
long experience only can give a man in moments 
of great danger — 

“ If our sheet-cable was bent to our heaviest 
anchor, this sea would bring it home, though no- 
thing but her launch was riding by it. A north- 
easter in the German Ocean must and will blow 
itself out ; nor shall we get the crown of the gale 
until the sun falls over the land. Then, indeed, 
it may lull ; for the winds do often seem to reve- 
rence the glory of the Heavens, too much to blow 
their might in its very face !” 

“ We must do our duty to ourselves and the 
country, 5 ’ returned Barnstable. a Go, get the two 
bowers spliced, and have a kedge bent to a haw- 
ser : we’ll back our two anchors together, and 
veer to the better end of two hundred and forty 
fathoms ; it may yet bring her up. See all clear 
there for anchoring, and cutting away the mast! 
we’ll leave the wind nothing but a naked hull to 
whistle over.” 

u Ay, if there was nothing but the wind, we 
might yet live to see the sun sink behind them 
hills,” said the cockswain ; “ but what hemp can 
stand the strain of a craft that is buried, half the 
time, to her foremast in the water ?” 

The order was, however, executed by the crew, 
with a sort of desperate submission to the will of 
their commander ; and when the preparations 
were completed, the anchors and kedge were 
dropped to the bottom, and the instant that the 
Ariel tended to the wind, the axe was applied to 
the little that w 7 as left of her long, raking masts. 
The crash of the falling spars, as they came, 
in succession, across the decks of the vessel, 
appeared to produce no sensation amid that 
scene of comoflcated danger, but the seamen 


368 


THE PILOT. 


proceeded in silence to their hopeless duty of 
clearing the wrecks. Every eye followed the 
floating timbers, as the waves swept them away 
from the vessel, with a sort of feverish curiosity, 
to witness the effect produced by their collision 
with those rocks that lay so fearfully near them ; 
but long before the spars entered the wide border 
of foam, they were hid from view by the furious 
element in which they floated. It was, now, felt 
by the whole crew of the Ariel, that their last 
means of safety had been adopted, and, at each 
desperate and headlong plunge the vessel took ? 
into the bosom of the seas that rolled upon her 
forecastle, the anxious seamen thought they could 
perceive the yielding of the iron that yet clung 
to the bottom, or could hear the violent surge of 
the parting strands of the cable, that still held 
them to their anchors. While the minds of the 
sailors were agitated with the faint hopes that 
had been excited by the movements of their 
schooner, Dillon had been permitted to wander 
about the vessel unnoticed : his rolling eyes, hard 
breathing, and clenched hands, excited no obser- 
vation among the men, whose thoughts were yet 
dwelling on the means of safety. But now, when 
with a sort of frenzied desperation, he would fol- 
low the retiring waters along the decks, and ven- 
ture his person nigh the group that had collected 
around and on the gun of the cockswain, glances 
of fierce or of sullen vengeance were cast at him, 
that conveyed threats of a nature that he was too 
much agitated to understand. 

“ If ye are tired of this world, though your 
time, like my own, is probably but short in it,” 
said Tom to him, as he passed the cockswain in 
one of his turns, u you can gcv forward among 
the men ; but if ye have need of the moments to 


THE PILOT. 


369 


foot up the reckoning of your doings among men, 
afore ye’re brought to face your Maker, and 
hear the log-book of Heaven, I would advise you 
to keep as nigh as possible to Captain Barnstable 
or myself.” 

u Will you promise to save me if the vessel is 
wrecked ?” exclaimed Dillon, catching at the first 
sounds of friendly interest that had reached his 
ears, since he had been recaptured ; u 0 ! if you 
will, I can secure you future ease ; yes, wealth, 
for the remainder of your days !” 

u Your promises have been too ill kept afore this, 
for the peace of your soul,” returned the cock- 
swain, without bitterness, though sternly ; u but 
it is not in me to strike even a whale that is already 
spouting blood.” 

The intercessions of Dillon were interrupted 
by a dreadful cry, that arose among the men for- 
ward, and which sounded with increased horror, 
amid the roarings of the tempest. The schooner 
rose on the breast of a wave at the same instant, 
and, falling off with her broadside to the sea, she 
drove in towards the cliffs, like a bubble on the 
rapids of a cataract. 

u Our ground tackle has parted,” said Tom, 
with his resigned patience of manner undisturbed ; 
ic she shall die as easy as man can make her!” — 
While he yet spoke, he seized the tiller, and gave 
to the vessel such a direction as would be most 
likely to cause her to strike the rocks with her 
bows foremost. 

There was, for one moment, an expression of 
exquisite anguish betrayed in the dark counte- 
nance of Barnstable ; but, at the next, it passed 
away, and he spoke cheerfully to his men — 

a Be steady, my lads, be calm ; there is yet a 
hope of life for you — our light draught will let us 


370 


THE PILOT. 


run in close to the cliffs, and it is still falling water 
— see your boats clear, and be steady.” 

The crew of the whale-boat, aroused by this 
speech from a sort of stupor, sprang into their 
light vessel, which was quickly lowered into the 
sea, and kept riding on the foam, free from the 
sides of the schooner, by the powerful exertions of 
the men. The cry for the cockswain was earnest 
and repeated, but Tom shook his head, without 
replying, still grasping the tiller, and keeping 
his eyes steadily bent on the chaos of waters, into 
which they were driving. The launch, the lar- 
gest boat of the tw 7 o, was cut loose from tf 
u gripes,” and the bustle and exertion of th 
moment rendered the crew 7 insensible to the hor 
ror of the scene that surrounded them. But the 
loud, hoarse call of the cockswain, to “ look 
out — secure yourselves !” suspended even their 
efforts, and at that instant the Ariel settled on a 
w 7 ave, that melted from under her, heavily on the 
rocks. The shock w 7 as so violent, as to throw all 
who disregarded the warning cry from their feet, 
and the universal quiver that pervaded the 
vessel was like the last shudder of animated na- 
ture. For a time long enough to breathe, the 
least experienced among the men supposed the 
danger to be past ; but a wave of great height 
followed the one that had deserted them, and 
raising the vessel again, threw her roughly 
si ill further on the bed of rocks, and at the 
same time its crest broke over her quarter, sweep- 
ing the length of her decks, with a fury that 
was almost resistless. The shuddering seamen 
beheld their loosened boat driven from their 
grasp, and dashed against the base of the cliffs, 
where no fragment of her wreck could be traced, 
at the receding of the waters. But the passing 


THE PILOT. 


371 


billow had thrown the vessel into a position which, 
in some measure, protected her decks from the 
violence of those that succeeded it. 

“ Go, my boys, go,” said Barnstable, as the 
moment of dreadful uncertainty passed ; u you 
have still the whale-boat, and she, at least, will 
take you nigh the shore. Go into her, my boys. 
God bless you, God bless you all ! you have 
been faithful and honest fellows, and I believe 
he will not yet desert you ; go, my friends, while 
there is a lull.” 

The seamen threw themselves, in a mass, into 
the light vessel, which nearly sunk under the 
unusual burthen ; but when they looked around 
them, Barnstable and Merry, Dillon and the 
cockswain, were yet to be seen on the decks of 
the Ariel. The former was pacing, in deep, and 
perhaps bitter melancholy, the wet planks of the 
schooner, while the boy hung, unheeded, on his 
arm, uttering disregarded petitions to his com- 
mander, to desert the wreck. Dillon approached 
the side where the boat lay, again and again, but 
the threatening countenances of the seamen as 
often drove him back in despair. Tom had seated 
himself on the heel of the bowsprit, where he 
continued, in an attitude of quiet resignation, 
returning no other answers to the loud and re- 
peated calls of his shipmates, than by waving his 
hand toward the shore. 

“ Now hear me,” said the boy, urging his re- 
quest, to tears; u if not for my sake, or for your 
own sake, Mr. Barnstable, or for the hopes of 
God’s mercy, go into the boat, for the love of my 
cousin Katherine.” 

The young lieutenant paused in his troubled 
walk, and for a moment he cast a glance of hesi- 
tation at the cliffs; but, at the next instant, his 


372 


THE PLLOT. 


eyes fell on the ruin of his vessel, and he answe? 
ed — 

“Never, boy, never; if my hour has come, 1 
will not shrink from my fate. 55 

“ Listen to the men, dear sir ; the boat will be 
swamped alongside the wreck, and their cry is, 
that without you they will not let her go. 55 

Barnstable motioned to the boat, to bid the boy 
enter it, and turned aw r ay in silence. 

“ Well, 55 said Merry, with firmness, “ if it be 
right that a lieutenant shall stay by the wreck, it 
must also be right for a midshipman ; shove off, 
neither Mr. Barnstable nor myself will quit the 
vessel. 55 

“ Boy, your life has been intrusted to my keep- 
ing, and at my hands will it be required, 55 said 
his commander, lifting the struggling youth, and 
tossing him into the arms of the seamen. “ Away 
with ye, and God be with you ; there is more 
weight in you, now, than can go safe to land. 55 

Still the seamen hesitated, for they perceived 
the cockswain, moving, with a steady tread, along 
the deck, and they hoped he had relented, and 
would yet persuade the lieutenant to join his 
crew. But Tom, imitating the example of his 
commander, seized the latter, suddenly, in his 
powerful grasp, and threw him over the bulwarks, 
with an irresistible force. At the same moment, 
he cast the fast of the boat from the pin that held 
it, and, lifting his broad hands high into the air, 
his voice was heard in the tempest. 

“ God’s will be done with me, 55 he cried. “ I 
saw the first timber of the Ariel laid, and shall 
live just long enough to see it turn out of her 
bottom ; after which I wish to live no longer. 55 

But his shipmates were swept far beyond the 
sounds oi his voice, before half these words were 


THE PILOT. 


373 


uttered. All command of the boat was ren- 
dered impossible, by the numbers it contained, as 
well as the raging of the surf; and, as it rose on 
the white crest of a wave, Tom saw his beloved 
little craft for the last time. It fell into a trough 
of the sea, and in a few moments more its frag- 
ments were ground into splinters on the adjacent 
rocks. The cockswain still remained where he 
had cast off the rope, and beheld the numerous 
heads and arms that appeared rising, at short in- 
tervals, on the waves ; some making powerful and 
well-directed efforts to gain the sands, that were 
becoming visible as the tide fell, and others 
wildly tossed, in the frantic movements of helpless 
despair. The honest old seaman gave a cry of 
joy, as he saw Barnstable issue from the surf, 
bearing the form of Merry in safety to the sands, 
where, one by one, several seamen soon appeared 
also, dripping and exhausted. Many others of 
the crew were carried, in a similar manner, to 
places of safety; though, as Tom returned to his 
seat on the bowsprit, he could not conceal, from 
his reluctant eyes, the lifeless forms that were, 
in other spots, driven against the rocks with a 
fury that soon left them but few of the outward 
vestiges of humanity. 

Dillon and the cockswain were now the sole 
occupants of their dreadful station. The for- 
mer stood, in a kind of stupid despair, a witness 
of the scene we have related ; but as his cur- 
dled blood began again to flow more warmly 
through his heart, he crept close to the side of 
Tom, with that sort of selfish feeling that makes 
even hopeless misery more tolerable, when endur- 
ed in participation with another. 

<c When the tide falls,’ 5 he said in a voice that 

32 


374 


THE PILOT* 


betrayed the agony of fear, though his words ex- 
pressed the renewal of hope, “ we shall be able to 
walk to land .’ 5 

“ There was One, and only One, to whose 
feet the waters were the same as a dry deck,” 
returned the cockswain ; u and none but such 
as nave his power will ever be able to walk 
from these rocks to the sands.” The old sea- 
man paused, and turning his eyes, which exhibit- 
ed a mingled expression of disgust and com- 
passion, on his companion, he added, with reve- 
rence — u Had you thought more of him in fair 
weather, your case would be less to be pitied in 
this tempest.” 

“ Do you still think there is much danger ?” 
asked Dillon. 

u To them that have reason to fear death. 
Listen ! do you hear that hollow noise beneath 
ye ?” 

u ’Tis the wind, driving by the vessel !” 

u ’Tis the poor thing herself,” said the affected 
cockswain, u giving her last groans. The water 
is breaking up her decks, and in a few minutes 
more, the handsomest model that ever cut a 
wave, will be like the chips that fell from her tim- 
bers in framing !” 

“ Why, then, did you remain here !” cried Dil- 
lon, wildly. 

“ To die in my coffin, if it should be the will 
of God,” returned Tom. “ These waves, to me, 
are what the land is to you ; I was born on them, 
and I have always meant that they should be my 
grave.” 

“But I — I,” shrieked Dillon, “I am not ready 
to die ! — I cannot die ! — I will not die !” 

“ Poor wretch !” muttered his companion ; 


THI£ PIJLOT. 


islo 


u you must go, like the rest of us ; when the 
death-watch is called, none can skulk from the 
muster.” 

“ I can swim,” Dillon continued, rushing, with 
frantic eagerness, to the side of the wreck. u Is 
there no billet of wood, no rope, that I can take 
with me ?” 

“ None ; every thing has been cut away, or 
carried off by the sea. If ye are about to strive 
for your life, take with ye a stout heart and a 
clean conscience, and trust the rest to God !” 

“ God !” echoed Dillon in the madness of his 
frenzy ; u I know no God ! there is no God that 
knows me !” 

“ Peace !” said the deep tones of the cock- 
swain, in a voice that seemed to speak in the ele- 
ments ; u blasphemer, peace !” 

The heavy groaning, produced by the water 
in the timbers of the Ariel, at that moment added 
its impulse to the raging feelings of Dillon, and he 
cast himself headlong into the sea. 

The water, thrown by tbe rolling of the surf 
on the beach, was necessarily returned to the 
ocean, in eddies, in different places favourable to 
such an action of the element. Into the edge of 
one of these counter-currents, that was produced 
by the very rocks on which the. schooner lay, and 
which the watermen call the u under-tow,” Dil- 
lon had, unknowingly, thrown his person, and 
when the waves had driven him a short distance 
from the wreck, he was met by a stream that his 
most desperate efforts could not overcome. He 
was a light and powerful swimmer, and the strug- 
gle was hard and protracted. With the shore 
immediately before his eyes, and at no great dis- 
tance, he was led, as by a false phantom, to con- 
tinue his efforts, although they did not advance 


376 


THE PILOT. 


him a foot. The old seaman, who, at first, had 
watched his motions with careless indifference, 
understood the danger of his situation at a 
glance, and, forgetful of his own fate, he shout- 
ed aloud, in a voice that was driven over the 
struggling victim to the ears of his shipmates on 
the sands — 

“ Sheer to-port, and clear the under-tow’ ! sheer 
to the southward !” 

Dillon heard the sounds, but his faculties 
were too much obscured by terror, to distin- 
guish their object; he, however, blindly yielded 
to the call, and gradually changed his direc- 
tion, until his face was once more turned towards 
the vessel. The current swept him diagonally by 
the rocks, and he was forced into an eddy, where 
he had nothing to contend against but the waves, 
whose violence was much broken by the wreck. 
In this state, he continued still to struggle, but 
with a force that was too much weakened, to 
overcome the resistance he met. Tom looked 
around him for a rope, but all had gone over with 
the spars, or been swept away by the waves. At 
this moment of disappointment, his eyes met 
those of the desperate Dillon. Calm, and inured 
to horrors, as was the veteran seaman, he invo- 
luntarily passed his hand before his brow, to 
exclude the look of despair he encountered ; and 
when, a moment afterwards, he removed the rigid 
member, he beheld the sinking form of the victim, 
as it gradually settled in the ocean, still struggling, 
with regular but impotent strokes of the arms and 
feet, to gain the wreck, and to preserve an exis- 
tence that had been so much abused in its hour 
of allotted probation. 

u He will soon know his God, and learn that his 
God knows him !” murmured the cockswain to 


THE PILOT > 


377 


himseh. x*s he yet spoke, the wreck of the Ariel 
yielded to an overwhelming sea, and, after a uni- 
versal shudder, her timbers and planks gave wa y % 
and were swept towards the cliffs, bearing th& 
body of the simple-hearted cockswain among ths 
ruins, 

32 * 


CHAPTER XXIY. 


u Let us think of them that sleep 
Full many a fathom deep, 

By the wild and stormy steep, 
Elsinore !” 

Campbell . 


Long and dreary did the hours appear to 
Barnstable, before the falling tide had so far re- 
ceded, as to leave the sands entirely exposed to 
his search for the bodies of his lost shipmates. 
Several had been rescued from the wild fury of 
the waves themselves, and one by one, as the me- 
lancholy conviction that life had ceased was forced 
on the survivors, they had been decently inter- 
red in graves dug on the very margin of that ele- 
ment on which they had passed their lives. But 
still the form longest known and most beloved was 
missing, and the lieutenant paced the broad space 
that was now left between the foot of the cliffs and 
the raging ocean, with hurried strides and a fever- 
ish eye, watching and following those fragments 
of the wreck that the sea still continued to cast on 
the beach. Living and dead, he now found, that 
of those who had lately been in the Ariel, only 
two were missing. Of the former he could mus- 
ter but twelve, besides Merry and himself, and his 
men had already interred more than half that num- 
ber of the latter, which, together, embraced all 


THE PILOT. 


379 


who had trusted their lives to the frail keeping of 
the whale-boat. 

“ Tell me not, boy, of the impossibility of his 
being safe,” said Barnstable, in deep agitation, 
which he in vain struggled to conceal from the 
anxious youth, who thought it unnecessary to fol- 
low the uneasy motions of his commander, as he 
strode along the sands. u How often have men 
been found floating on pieces of wreck, days after 
the loss of their vessel? and you can see, with 
your own eyes, that the falling water has swept 
the planks this distance ; ay, a good half league 
from where she struck. Does the look-out, from 
the top of the cliffs, make no signal of seeing him 
yet ?” 

u None, sir, none ; we shall never see him 
again. The men say, that he always thought it 
sinful to desert a wreck, and that he did not even 
strike-out once for his life, though he has been 
known to swim an hour, when a whale has stove 
his boat. God knows, sir,” added the boy, hastily 
dashing a tear from his eye, by a stolen movement 
of his hand, u I loved Tom Coffin better than any 
foremast-man in either vessel. You seldom came 
aboard the frigate but we had him in the steerage 
among us reefers, to hear his long-yarns, and share 
our cheer. We all loved him, Mr. Barnstable, but 
love cannot bring the dead to life again.” 

u I know it, I know it,” said Barnstable, with 
a huskiness in his voice, that betrayed the depth 
of his emotion. u I am not so foolish as to be- 
lieve in impossibilities ; but while there is a hope 
of his living, I will never abandon poor Tom 
Coffin to such a dreadful fate. Think, boy, he 
may, at this moment, be looking at us, and pray- 
ing to his Maker that he would turn our eyes upon 
him ; ay, praying to his God, for Tom often pray- 


380 


THE PILOT. 


ed, though he did it in his watch, standing, and in 
silence.” 

“ If he had clung to lile so strongly,” returned 
the midshipman, “ he would have struggled harder 
to preserve it.” 

Barnstable stopped short in his hurried walk, 
and fastened a look of opening conviction on his 
companion ; but, as he was about to speak in re- 
ply, the shouts of the seamen reached his ears, and, 
turning, they saw the whole party running along 
the beach, and motioning, with violent gestures, to 
an intermediate point in the ocean. The lieutenant 
and Merry hurried back, and, as they approached 
the men, they distinctly observed a human figure, 
borne along by the waves, at moments, seeming 
to rise above them, and already floating in the last 
of the breakers. They had hardly ascertained so 
much, when a heavy swell carried the inanimate 
body far upon the sands, where it was left by the 
retiring waters. 

“ ’Tis my cockswain !” cried Barnstable, rush- 
ing to the spot. He stopped suddenly, however, 
as he came within view of the features, and it was 
some little time before he appeared to have col- 
lected his faculties sufficiently to add, in tones of 
deep horror — u what wretch is this, boy ! his form 
is unmutilated, and yet observe the eyes ! they 
seem as if the sockets would not contain them, and 
they gaze as wildly as if their owner yet had life 
— the hands are open and spread, as though they 
would still buffet the waves ?” 

“ The Jonah ! the Jonah !” shouted the seamen, 
with savage exultation, as they successively ap- 
proached the corpse ; u away with his carrion 
into the sea again ! give him to the sharks ! let 
him tell his lies in the claws of the lobsters !” 

Barnstable had turned away from the revolting 


THE PILOT. 


381 


sight, in disgust ; but when he discos ered these 
indications of impotent revenge, in the remnant 
of his crew, he said, in that voice, which all re- 
spected, and still obeyed — 

u Stand back ! back with ye, fellows ! would 
you disgrace your manhood and seamanship, by 
wreaking your vengeance on him whom God 
has already in judgment!” A silent, but signifi- 
cant gesture towards the earth, succeeded his 
words, and he walked slowly away. 

“ Bury him in the sands, boys,” said Merry, 
when his commander was at some little distance ; 
a the next tide will unearth him.” 

The seamen obeyed his orders, while the mid- 
shipman rejoined his commander, who continued 
to pace along the beach, occasionally halting, to 
throw his uneasy glances over the water, and 
then hurrying onward, at a rate that caused his 
youthful companion to exert his greatest power 
to maintain the post he had taken at his side. 
Every effort to discover the lost cockswain was, 
however, after two hours’ more search, abandon 
ed as fruitless ; and with reason, for the sea was 
never known to give up the body of the man who 
might be emphatically called its own dead. 

u There goes the sun, already dropping behind 
the cliffs,” said the lieutenant, throwing himself 
on a rock ; u and the hour will soon arrive to 
set the dog-watches ; but we have nothing left to 
watch over, boy ; the surf and rocks have not 
even left us a whole plank, that we may lay oui 
heads on for the night.” 

u The men have gathered many articles on 
yon beach, sir,” returned the lad ; u they have 
found arms to defend ourselves with, and food to 
give us strength to use them.” 

“ And who shall be our enemy ? asked Barn- 


382 


THE PILOT. 


stable, bitterly ; cc shall we shoulder our dozen 
pikes, and carry England by boarding ?” 

u We may not lay the whole island under con- 
tribution,” continued the boy, anxiously watching 
the expression of his commander’s eye ; u but 
we may still keep ourselves in work, until the 
cutter returns from the frigate. I hope, sir, you 
do not think our case so desperate, as to intend 
yielding as prisoners.” 

u Prisoners !” exclaimed the lieutenant ; u no, 
no, lad, it has not got to that, yet ! England has 
been able to wreck my craft, I must concede, but 
she has, as yet, obtained no other advantage 
over us. She was a precious model, Merry ! the 
cleanest run, and the neatest entrance, that art 
ever united on the stem and stern of the same 
vessel ! Do you remember the time, younker, 
when I gave the frigate my topsails, in beating 
out of the Chesapeake ? I could always do it, in 
smooth water, with a whole-sail-breeze. But she 
was a frail thing ! a frail thing, boy, and could 
bear but little.” 

“ A mortar ketch w^ould have thumped to pieces 
where she lay,” returned the midshipman. 

a Ay, it was asking too much of her, to expect 
she could hold together on a bed of rocks. Merry, 
I loved her ; dearly did I love her ; she was my 
first command, and I knew and loved every timber 
and bolt in her beautiful frame !” 

“ I believe it is as natural, sir, for a seaman to 
love the wood and iron in which he has floated 
over the depths of the ocean, for so many days 
and nights,” rejoined the boy, “ as it is for a 
father to love the members of his own family.” 
u Quite, quite, ay, more so,” said Barnstable, 
speaking as if he were choked by emotion. 
Merry felt the heavy grasp of the lieutenant on 


THE PILOT. 


383 


his slight arm, while his commander continued, 
in a voice that gradually increased in power, as 
his feelings predominated ; “ and yet, boy, a hu- 
man being cannot love the creature of his own 
formation as he does the works of God. A man 
can never regard his ship as he does his ship- 
mates. I sailed with him, boy, when every thing 
seemed bright and happy, as at your age ; when, 
as he often expressed it, I knew nothing and fear- 
ed nothing. I was then a truant from an old fa- 
ther and a kind mother, and he did that for me, 
which no parents could have done in my situa- 
tion — he was my father and mother on the deep ! — 
hours, days, even months, has he passed in teach- 
ing me the art of our profession ; and now, in my 
manhood, he has followed me from ship to ship, 
from sea to sea, and has only quitted me to die, 
where I should have died — as if he felt the dis- 
grace of abandoning the poor Ariel to her fate, by 
herself!” 

“ No — no — no — ’twas his superstitious pride !” 
interrupted Merry ; but perceiving that the head 
of Barnstable had sunk between his hands, as if 
he would conceal his emotion, the boy added no 
more ; but he sat respectfully watching the display 
of feeling that his officer, in vain, endeavoured to 
suppress. Merry felt his own form quiver with 
sympathy at the shuddering which passed through 
Barnstable’s frame ; and the relief experienced by 
the lieutenant himself was not greater than that 
which the midshipman felt, as the latter beheld 
large tears forcing their way through the other’s 
lingers, and falling on the sands at his feet. They 
were followed by a violent burst of emotion, such 
as is seldom exhibited in the meridian of life, but 
which, when it conquers the nature of one who has 
buffeted the chances of the world with the loftiness 


384 


THE PILOT. 


of his sex and character, breaks down every bar- 
rier, and seems to sweep before it, like a rushing 
torrent, all the factitious defences which habit and 
education have created to protect the pride of man- 
hood. Merry had often beheld the commanding 
severity of the lieutenant’s manner, in moments of 
danger, with deep respect ; he had been drawn to- 
wards him by kindness and affection, in times 
of gaiety and recklessness ; but he now sate for 
many minutes, profoundly silent, regarding his of- 
ficer with sensations that were nearly allied to awe. 
The struggle with himself was long and severe 
in the bosom of Barnstable ; but, at length, the 
calm of relieved passions succeeded to his emo- 
tion. When he arose from the rock, and remov- 
ed his hands from his features, his eye was hard 
and proud, his brow slightly contracted, and he 
spoke in a voice so harsh, that it startled his com- 
panion — 

“ Come, sir ; w 7 hy are we here and idle ! are 
not yon poor fellow T s looking up to us for advice 
and orders how to proceed in this exigency ? 
Aw r ay, away, Mr. Merry ; it is not a time to be 
drawing figures in the sand with your dirk ; the 
flood-tide will soon be in, and we may be glad to 
hide our heads in some cavern among these rocks 
Let us be stirring, sir, while we have the sun, and 
muster enough food and arms to keep life in us, 
and our enemies off us, until w T e can once more get 
afloat.” 

The wondering boy, whose experience had not 
yet taught him to appreciate the reaction of the 
passions, started at this unexpected summons 
to his duty, and followed Barnstable towards the 
group of distant seamen. The lieutenant, who was 
instantly conscious how far pride had rendered 
him unjust, soon moderated his long strides, and 


THE PILOT. 


385 


continued in milder tones, which were quickly con- 
verted into his usual frank communications, though 
they still remained tinged with a melancholy, that 
time only could entirely remove — 

a We have been unlucky, Mr. Merry, but w r e 
need not despair — these lads have gotten together 
abundance of supplies, I see ; and, with our arms, 
we can easily make ourselves masters of some of 
the enemy’s smaller craft, and find our way back 
to the frigate, when this gale has blown itself out. 
We must keep ourselves close, though, or we shall 
have the red-coats coming down upon us, like so 
many sharks around a wreck. Ah ! God bless 
her, Merry ! there is not such a sight to be seen on 
the whole beach as two of her planks holding to- 
gether.” 

The midshipman, without adverting to this sud- 
den allusion to their vessel, prudently pursued the 
train of ideas, in which his commander had start- 
ed. 

“ There is an opening into the country, but a 
short distance south of us, where a brook empties 
into the sea,” he said. “We might find a cover 
in it, or m the wood above, into which it leads, un- 
til we can have a survey of the coast, or can seize 
some vessel to carry us off.” 

“ There would be a satisfaction in waiting till 
the morning watch, and then carrying that ac- 
cursed battery, which took off the better leg of 
the poor Ariel!” said the lieutenant — “ the thing 
might be done, boy ; and we could hold the work 
too, until the Alacrity and the frigate draw in to 
land.” 

u If you prefer storming works to boarding ves- 
sels, there is a fortress of stone, Mr. Barnstable, 
which lies directly on our beam. I could see it 


386 


THE PILOT. 


through the haze, when I was on the cliffs, station- 
ing the look-out — and — ” 

“ And what, boy ? speak without a fear ; this is 
a time for free consultation.” 

u Why, sir, the garrison might not all be hos- 
tile — we should liberate Mr. Griffith and the ma- 
rine ; besides — ” 

“ Besides what, sir ?” 

“ I should have an opportunity, perhaps, of see- 
ing my cousin Cecilia, and my cousin Katherine.” 
The countenance of Barnstable grew animated 
as he listened, and he answered with something of 
his usual cheerful manner — 

u Ay, that, indeed, would be a work worth car- 
rying ! and the rescuing of our shipmates, and the 
marines, would read like a thing of military discre- 
tion — ha ! hoy ! all the rest would be incidental, 
younker ; like the capture of the fleet, after you 
have whipped the convoy.” 

“ I do suppose, sir, that if the Abbey be taken, 
Colonel Howard will own himself a prisoner of 
war.” 

u And Colonel Howard’s wards ! now there is 
good sense in this scheme of thine, Master Merry, 
and I will give it proper reflection. But here are 
our poor fellows ; speak cheeringly to them, sir, 
that we may hold them in temper for our enter- 
prise.” 

Barnstable and the midshipman joined their 
shipwrecked companions, with that air of autho- 
rity which is seldom wanting between the superior 
and the inferior, in nautical intercourse, but at 
the same time, with a kindness of speech and 
looks, that might have been a little increased by 
their ciitical situation. After partaking of the 
food which had been selected from among the 


THE PILOT. 


387 


fragments that still lay scattered, for more than 
a mile, along the beach, the lieutenant diiected 
the seamen to arm themselves with such wea- 
pons as offered, and, also, to make sufficient pro- 
vision, from the schooner’s stores, to last them for 
four-and-twenty hours longer. These orders were 
soon executed ; and the whole party, led by 
Barnstable and Merry, proceeded along the foot 
of the cliffs, in quest of the opening in the rocks, 
through which the little rivulet found a passage 
to the ocean. The weather contributed, as much 
as the seclusion of the spot, to prevent any dis- 
covery of the small party, which pursued its ob- 
ject with a disregard of caution that might, 
under other circumstances, have proved fatal 
to its safety. Barnstable paused in his march 
when they had all entered the deep ravine, and 
ascended nearly to the blow of the precipice, that 
formed one of its sides, to take a last and more 
scrutinizing survey of the sea. His countenance 
exhibited the abandonment of all hope, as his eye 
moved slowly from the northern to the southern 
boundary of the horizon, and he prepared to pur- 
sue his march, by moving, reluctantly, up the 
stream, when the boy, who still clung to his side, 
exclaimed joyously — 

u Sail ho ! It must be the frigate in the of- 
fing !” 

u A sail !” repeated his commander ; u where- 
away do you see a sail in this tempest ? Can there 
be another as hardy and unfortunate as our- 
selves !” 

u Look to the starboard hand of the point ot 
rock to windward !” cried the boy ; u now you 
lose it — ah ! now the sun falls upon it ! 5 tis a sail, 
sir, as sure as canvass can be spread in such a 
gale !” 


388 


THE PILOT 


u I see what you mean,” returned the other, 
u hut it seems a gull, skimming the sea ! nay, now 
it rises, indeed, and shows itself like a bellying 
topsail: pass up that glass, lads; here is a fellow 
in the offing who may prove a friend.” 

Merry waited the result of the lieutenant’s ex* 
amination with youthful impatience, and did not 
fail to ask, immediately — 

u Can you make it out, sir ? is it the ship or the 
cutter ?” 

u Come, there seemeth yet some hope left for us, 
boy,” returned Barnstable, closing the glass ; u ’tis a 
ship lying-to under her main-topsail. If one might 
but dare to show himself on these heights, he would 
raise her hull, and make sure of her character ! 
But I think I know her spars, though even her top- 
sail dips, at times, when there is nothing to. be seen 
but her bare poles ; and they shortened by her top- 
gallant-masts.” 

“ One would swear,” said Merry, laughing, as 
much through the excitement produced by this in- 
telligence, as at his conceit, u that Captain Mun- 
son would never carry wood aloft, when he can’t 
carry canvass. I remember, one night, Mr. Grif- 
fith was a little vexed, and said, around the cap- 
stan, he believed the next order would be, to rig 
in the bowsprit, and house lower-masts !” 

a Ay, ay, Griffith is a lazy dog, and some- 
times gets lost in the fogs of his own thoughts,” 
said Barnstable ; “ and I suppose old Moderate 
was in a breeze. However, this looks as if he 
were in earnest ; he must have kept the ship 
away, or she would never have been where she is ; 
I do verily believe the old gentleman remembers 
that he has a few of his officers and men on this 
accursed island. This is well, Merry, for should 


THE PILOT. 


389 


we take the Abbey, we have a place at hand in 
which to put our prisoners.” 

u We must have patience till the morning,” 
added the boy, u for no boat would attempt to 
land in such a sea.” 

“ No boat could land ! The best boat that ever 
floated, boy, has sunk in these breakers ! But the 
wind lessens, and before morning the sea will fall. 
Let us on, and find a birth for our poor lads, where 
they can be made more comfortable.” 

The two officers now descended from their 
elevation, and led the way still further up the 
deep and narrow dell, until, as the ground rose 
gradually before them, they found themselves 
m a dense wood, on a level with the adjacent 
country. 

u Here should be a ruin at hand, if I have kept 
a true reckoning, and know my courses and dis- 
tances,” said Barnstable ; “ I have a chart about 
me, that speaks of such a land-mark.” 

The lieutenant turned away from the laughing 
expression of the boy’s eye, as the latter archly 
inquired — 

u Was it made by one who knows the coast 
well, sir ? or was it done by some school-boy, to 
learn his maps, as the girls work samplers ?” 

u Come, younker, no sampler of your impu- 
dence. But look ahead ; can you see any habita- 
tion that has been deserted ?” 

u Ay, sir, here is a pile of stones before us, 
that looks as dirty and ragged, as if it was a 
soldier’s barrack ; can this be what you seek ?” 
u Faith, this has been a whole town in its day ! 
we should call it a city in America, and furnish 
it with a Mayor, Aldermen, and Recorder — you 
might stow old Faneuil-Hall in one of its lockers.” 
With this sort of careless dialogue, which 


390 


THE PILOT. 


Barnstable engaged in, that his men might dis- 
cover no alteration in his manner, they approach- 
ed the mouldering walls that had proved so frail a 
protection to the party under Griffith. 

A short time was passed in examining the pre- 
mises, when the wearied seamen took possession 
of one of the dilapidated apartments, and dispos- 
ed themselves to seek that rest of which they had 
been deprived by the momentous occurrences of 
the past night. 

Barnstable waited until the loud breathing of 
the seamen assured him that they slept, when he 
aroused the drowsy boy, who was fast losing his 
senses in the same sort of oblivion, and motioned 
to him to follow. Merry arose, and they stole 
together from the apartment, with guarded steps, 
and penetrated more deeply into the gloomy re- 
cesses of the place. 


CHAPTER XXV. 


Mercury — “ I permit thee to be Sosia again. 

Dry den. 


We must leave the two adventurers winding 
their way among the broken piles, and venturing 
boldly beneath the tottering arches of the ruin, to 
accompany tne reader, at the same hour, within the 
more comfortable walls of the Abbey ; where, it 
will be remembered, BorroughclifFe was left, in a 
condition of very equivocal ease. As the earth 
had, however, in the interval, nearly run its daily 
round, circumstances had intervened to release 
the soldier from his confinement — and no one, 
ignorant of the fact, would suppose, that the gen- 
tleman w 7 ho was now seated at the hospitable 
board of Colonel Howard, directing with so 
much discretion, the energies of his masticators 
to the delicacies of the feast, could read, in his 
careless air and smiling visage, that those fora- 
gers of nature had been so recently condemned, 
for four long hours, to the mortification of dis- 
cussing the barren subject of his own sword-hilt. 
BorroughclifFe, however, maintained not only his 
usual post, but his w T ell-earned reputation at the 
table, with his ordinary coolness of demeanoui • 
though, at times there were fleeting smiles, that 

11 * 


392 THE PILOT. 

/ 

crossed his military aspect, which sufficiently in- 
dicated, that he considered the matter of his re- 
flection to be of a particularly ludicrous character. 
In the young man, who sat by his side, dressed 
in the deep blue jacket of a seaman, with the fine, 
white linen of his collar contrasting strongly 
with the black silk handkerchief, that was tied, 
with studied negligence, around his neck, and 
whose easy air and manner contrasted still more 
strongly with this attire, the reader will discover 
Griffith. The captive paid much less devotion 
to the viands than his neighbour, though he af- 
fected more attention to the business of the table 
than he actually bestow r ed, with a sort of con- 
sciousness that it would relieve the blushing maid- 
en who presided. The laughing eyes of Ka- 
therine Plowden were glittering by the side of the 
mild countenance of Alice Dunscombe, and, at 
times, were fastened, in droll interest, on the rigid 
and upright exterior that Captain Manual main- 
tained, directly opposite to where she was seated. 
A chair had, also, been placed for Dillon — of 
course, it was vacant. 

u And so, Borroughcliffe,” cried Colonel How- 
ard, with a freedom of voice, and a vivacity in his 
air, that announced the increasing harmony of the 
repast, “ the sea-dog left you nothing to chew but 
the cud of your resentment !” 

u That and my sword-hilt !” returned the im- 
moveable recruiting officer. “ Gentlemen, I know 
not how your Congress rewards military achieve- 
ments ; but if that worthy fellow were in my com* 
pany, he should have a halberd within a week — • 
spurs I would not offer him, for he affects to spurn 
their use.” 

Griffith smiled, and bowed in silence to the 


li!E PILOT. 


393 


liberal compliment of Borroughcliffe ; out Manual 
took on himself the tat*: of replying — 

u Considering the drilling the man has received, 
nis conduct has been well enough, sir ; though a 
well-trained soldier would not only have made pri- 
soners, but he would have secured them.” 

“ I perceive, my good comrade, that your 
thoughts are running on the exchange,” said Bor- 
roughcliffe, good humouredly ; “ we will fill, sir, 
and, by permission of the ladies, drink to a speedy 
restoration of rights to both parties — the statu quo 
ante bellum.” 

u With all my heart,” cried the colonel ; a and 
Cicily and Miss Katherine will pledge the senti- 
ment in a woman’s sip ; will ye not, my fair 
wards ? — Mr. Griffith, 1 honour this proposition 
of yours, which will not only liberate yourself, but 
restore to us my kinsmen, Mr. Christopher Dil- 
lon. Kit had imagined the thing well, ha ! Bor- 
roughcliffe ! ’twas ingeniously contrived, but the 
fortune of war interposed itself to his success ; and 
yet, it is a deep and inexplicable mystery to me, how 
Kit should have been conveyed from the Abbey 
with so little noise, and without raising the alarm.” 
u Christopher is a man who understands the 
philosophy of silence, as well as that of rheto- 
ric,” returned Borroughcliffe, “ and must have 
learned, in his legal studies, that it is sometimes 
necessary to conduct matters sub silentio. You 
smile at my Latin, Miss Plowden ; but, really, 
since I have become an inhabitant of this Monk- 
ish abode, my little learning is stimulated to un- 
wonted efforts — nay, you are pleased to be yet more 
merry ! I used the language, because silence is a 
theme in which you ladies take but little pleasure.” 
Katherine, however, disregarded the slight 
pique that was apparent in the soldier’s manner 


394 


THE PILOT 


but, after following the train of her own thoughts 
in silent enjoyment for a moment longer, she seem- 
ed to yield to their drollery, and laughed, until her 
dark eyes flashed with merriment. Cecilia did not 
assume the severe gravity with which she some- 
times endeavoured to repress, what she thought, 
the unseasonable mirth of her cousin, and the won- 
dering Griffith fancied, as he glanced his eye from 
one to the other, that he could discern a suppressed 
smile playing among the composed features of Alice 
Dunscombe. Katherine, however, soon succeeded 
in repressing the paroxysm, and, with an air of in- 
finitely comic gravity, she replied to the remark of 
the soldier — - 

“ I think I have heard of such a process in nau- 
tical affairs as towing ; but I must appeal to Mr. 
Griffith, for the correctness of the term ?” 

u You could not speak with more accuracy,” re- 
turned the young sailor, with a look that sent the 
conscious blood to the temples of the lady, u though 
you had made marine terms your study.” 

“ The profession requires less thought, perhaps, 
than you imagine, sir ; but is this towing often 
done, as Captain Borroughcliffe — I beg his pardon 
— as the Monks have it, sub silentio ?” 

“ Spare me, fair lady,” cried the captain, “ and 
we will establish a compact of mutual grace ; you 
to forgive my learning, and I to suppress my sus- 
picions.” 

“ Suspicions, sir, is a word that a lady must 
defy.” 

u And defiance a challenge that a soldier can 
never receive ; so, I must submit to talk English, 
though the fathers of the church w T ere my compa- 
nions. I suspect that Miss Plow 7 den has it in her 
power to explain the manner of Mr. Christopher 
Dillon’s departure.” 


THE. *xLOT. 


39 5 


The lady did not reply, but a second burst of 
merriment succeeded, of a liveliness and duration 
quite equal to the former. 

“How’s this!” exclaimed the colonel; “per- 
mit me to say, Miss Plowden, your mirth is very 
extraordinary ! I trust no disrespect has been offer- 
ed to my kinsman ? Mr. Griffith, our terms are, 
that the exchange shall only be made on condition 
that equally good treatment has been extended to 
the parties !” 

“ If Mr. Dillon can complain of no greater evil 
than that of being laughed at by Miss Plowden, sir, 
he has reason to call himself a happy fellow.” 

“ I know not, sir ; God forbid that I should for- 
get what is due to my guests, gentlemen — but ye 
have entered my dwelling as foes to my prince.” 

“ But not to Colonel Howard, sir.” 

“ I know no difference, Mr. Griffith. King 
George or Colonel Howard — Colonel Howard or 
King George. Our feelings, our fortunes, and 
our fate, is as one ; with the mighty odds that Pro- 
vidence has established between the prince and his 
people ! I wish no other fortune, than to share, at 
an humble distance, the weal or wo of my sove- 
reign !” 

“ You are not called upon, dear sir, to do either, 
by the thoughtlessness of us ladies,” said Cecilia, 
rising ; “ but here comes one who should turn our 
thoughts to a more important subject — our dress.” 
Politeness induced Colonel Howard, who both 
loved and respected his niece, to defer his re- 
marks to another time ; and Katherine, springing 
from her chair, with childish eagerness, flew to 
the side of her cousin, who was directing a 
servant that had announced the arrival of one 
of those erratic venders of small articles, who 
supply, in remote districts of the country, the pia- 


396 


THE PILOT. 


ces of more regular traders, to show the lad into 
the dining-parlour. The repast was so far ended, 
as to render this interruption less objectionable, 
and as all felt the object of Cecilia to be the res- 
toration of harmony, the boy was ushered into 
the room, without further delay. The contents 
of his small basket, consisting chiefly of essen- 
ces, and the smaller articles of female economy, 
were playfully displayed on the table, by Katherine, 
who declared herself the patroness of the itine- 
rant youth, and who laughingly appealed to the 
liberality of the gentlemen in behalf of her pro- 
tegee. 

“ You perceive, my dear guardian, that the boy 
must be loyal ; for he offers, here, perfume, that is 
patronised by no less than two royal dukes? do 
suffer me to place a box aside, for your especial 
use ? you consent ; I see it in your eye. And, 
Captain Borroughcliffe, as you appear to be for- 
getting the use of your own language, here is even 
a horn-bock for you ! How admirably provided 
he seems to be ! You must have had St. Ruth in 
view, when you laid in your stock, child ?” 

u Yes, my lady,” the boy replied, with a bow 
that was studiously awkward ; u I have often heard 
of the grand ladies that dwell in the old Abbey, 
and I have journeyed a few miles beyond my rounds, 
to gain their custom.” 

a And surely they cannot disappoint you. Miss 
Howard, that is a palpable hint to your purse ; and 
I know not that even Miss Alice can escape con- 
tribution, in these troublesome times. Come, aid 
me, child ; what have you to recommend, in parti- 
cular, to the favour of these ladies ?” 

The lad approached the basket, and rummaged 
its contents, for a moment, with the appearance 
of deep, mercenary interest ; and then, without 


THE PILOT. 


397 


lifting his hand from the confusion he had caused, 
he said, while he exhibited something within the 
basket to the view of his smiling observer — 
u This, my lady.” 

Katherine started, and glanced her eye, with a 
piercing look, at the countenance of the boy, and 
then turned them, uneasily, from face to face, 
with conscious timidity. Cecilia had effected 
her object, and had resumed her seat, in silent 
abstraction — Alice was listening to the remarks 
of Captain Manual and the host, as they dis- 
cussed the propriety of certain military usages — 
Griffith seemed to hold communion with his 
mistress, by imitating her silence ; but Katherine, 
in her stolen glances, met the keen look of Bor- 
roughcliffe, fastened on her face, in a manner that 
did not fail instantly to suspend the scrutiny. 

“ Come, Cecilia,” she cried, after a pause of 
a moment, u we trespass too long on the patience 
of the gentlemen ; not only to keep possession of 
our seats, ten minutes after the cloth has been 
drawn ! but even to introduce our essences, and 
tapes, and needles, among the Madeira, and — shall 
I add, segars, colonel ?” 

u Not while we are favoured with the company 
of Miss Plowden, certainly.” 

u Come, my coz ; I perceive the colonel is 
growing particularly polite, which is a neverfailing 
sign that he tires of our presence.” 

Cecilia rose, and was leading the way to the 
door, when Katherine turned to the lad, and 
added— 

“ You can follow us to the drawing-room, child, 
where we can make our purchases, without expos- 
ing the mystery of our toilets.” 

u Miss Plowden has forgotten my horn-book, 
1 believe,” said Borroughcliffe, advancing from 

34 


398 


THE PILOT. 


the standing group who surrounded the table , 
u possibly I can find some work in the basket 
of the boy, better fitted for the improvement of 
a grown-up young gentleman than this elementary 
treatise. 55 

Cecilia, observing him to take the basket from 
the lad, resumed her seat, and her example was 
necessarily followed by Katherine ; though not 
without some manifest indications of vexation. 

“ Come hither, boy, and explain the uses of 
your wares. This is soap, and this a penknife, 1 
know ; but what name do you affix to this ? 55 

u That ? that is tape, 55 returned the lad, with 
an impatience that might very naturally be attri- 
buted to the interruption that was thus given to his 
trade. 

u And this ? 55 

“ That ? 55 repeated the stripling, pausing, with a 
hesitation between sulkiness and doubt ; “that ? — 55 

“ Come, this is a little ungallant ! 55 cried Kathe- 
rine ; “ to keep three ladies dying with impa- 
tience to possess themselves of their finery, while 
you detain the boy, to ask the name of a tambour- 
ing-needle ! 55 

“ 1 should apologize for asking questions that 
are so easily answered ; but perhaps he will find 
the next more difficult to solve, 55 returned Bor- 
roughcliffe, placing the subject of his inquiries 
in the palm of his hand, in such a manner as to 
conceal it from all but the boy and himself. “ This 
has a name, too ; what is it ? 55 

“ That ? — that — is sometimes called — white- 
line. 55 

“ Perhaps you mean a white lie ? 55 

“ How, sir ! 55 exclaimed the lad, a little fiercely, 

6 a lie V 


THE PILOT. 


399 


“ Only a white one,” returned the captain. 
“ What do you call this, Miss Dunscombe ?” 

“ We call it bobbin, sir, generally, in the 
north,” said the placid Alice. 

“ Ay, bobbin, or white-line ; they are the same 
thing,” added the young trader. 

“ They are ! I think, now, for a professional 
man, you know but little of the terms of your 
art,” observed Borroughcliffe, with an affectation 
of irony ; “ I never have seen a youth of your 
years who knew less. What names, now, would 
you affix to this, and this, and this ?” 

While the captain was speaking, he drew from 
his pockets the several instruments that the cock- 
swain had made use of the preceding night to se- 
cure his prisoner. 

“ That,” exclaimed the lad, with the eagerness 
of one who would vindicate his reputation, “ is rat- 
lin-stuff ; and this is marline ; and that is sennit.” 

“ Enough, enough,” said Borroughcliffe ; “ you 
have exhibited sufficient knowledge, to convince 
me that you do know something of your trade , and 
nothing of these articles. Mr. Griffith, do you 
claim this boy ?” 

u I believe I must, sir,” said the young sea- 
officer, who had been intently listening to the 
examination. “ On whatever errand you have 
ventured here, Mr. Merry, it is useless to affect 
further concealment.” 

“Merry!” exclaimed Cecilia Howard; “is it 
you, then, my cousin ? are you, too, fallen into 
the power of your enemies ! was it not enough 
that — ” 

The young lady recovered her recollection in 
time to suppress the remainder of the sentence, 
though the grateful expression of Griffith’s eye 


400 


THE PILOT. 


sufficiently indicated that he had, in his thoughts, 
filled the sentence with expressions abundantly 
flattering to his own feelings. 

u How’s this, again !” cried the colonel ; c * my 
two wards embracing and fondling a vagrant, 
vagabond pedler, before my eyes ; is this treason, 
Mr. Griffith ? or what means the extraordinary 
visit of this young gentleman ? 

u Is it extraordinary, sir,” said Merry himself, 
losing his assumed awkwardness, in the ease and 
confidence of one whose faculties had been early 
exercised, u that a boy, like myself, destitute of 
mother and sisters, should take a like risk on him- 
self, to visit the only two female relatives he has in 
the world ?” 

“ Why this disguise, then ? surely, young gen- 
tleman, it was unnecessary to enter the dwelling 
of old George Howard, on such an errand, clan- 
destinely, even though your tender years have 
been practised on, to lead you astray from your 
allegiance. Mr. Griffith and Captain Manual 
must pardon me, if I express sentiments, at my 
own table, that they may find unpleasant ; but this 
business requires us to be explicit.” 

u The hospitality of Colonel Howard is un- 
questionable,” returned the boy ; “ but he has a 
great reputation for his loyalty to the crown.” 
u Ay, young gentleman ; and, I trust, with 
some justice.” 

“ Would it, then, be safe, to intrust my person 
in the hands of one who might think it his duty to 
detain me ?” 

“ This is plausible enough, Captain Borrough- 
cliffe, and I doubt not the boy speaks with can- 
dour. I would, now, that my kinsman, Mr. 
Christopher Dillon, were here, that I might learn 


THE PILOT 


401 


if it would be misprision of treason, to permit 
this youth to depart, unmolested, and without ex- 
change ?” 

“ Inquire of the young gentleman, after the 
Cacique,” returned the recruiting officer, who, 
apparently satisfied in producing the exposure of 
Merry, had resumed his seat at the table ; “ per- 
haps he is, in verity, an ambassador, empowered 
to treat on behalf of his highness.” 

“ How say you,” demanded the colonel ; “ do 
you know any thing of my kinsman ?” 

The anxious eyes of the whole party were fas- 
tened on the boy, for many moments, witnessing 
the sudden change from careless freedom to deep 
horror, expressed in his countenance. At length 
he uttered, in an under tone, the secret of Dillon’s 
fate. 

u He is dead.” 

“ Dead !” repeated every voice in the room. 

“ Yes, dead,” said the boy, gazing at the pallid 
faces of those who surrounded him. 

A long and fearful silence succeeded the an- 
nouncement of this intelligence, which was only 
interrupted by Griffith, who said — 

u Explain the manner of his death, sir, and 
where his body lies.” 

a His body lies interred in the sands,” returned 
Merry, with a deliberation that proceeded from an 
opening perception, that if he uttered too much, 
he might betray the loss of the Ariel, and, conse- 
quently, endanger the liberty of Barnstable. 

“ In the sands !” was echoed from every part of 
the room. 

u Ay, in the sands ; but how he died, I cannot 
explain.” 

u He has been murdered !” exclaimed Colonel 
Howard, whose command of utterance was now 

34 * 


402 


THE PILOT. 


amply restored to him ; “ he has been treacherous- 
ly, and dastardly, and basely murdered !” 

“ He has not been murdered,’ 5 said the boy, 
firmly ; u nor did he meet his death among those 
who deserve the name either of traitors or of das- 
tards.” 

u Said you not that he was dead ? that my 
kinsman was buried in the sands of the sea- 
shore ?” 

u Both are true, sir — ” 

u And you refuse to explain how he met his 
death, and why he has been thus ignominiously in- 
terred ?” 

“He received his interment by my orders, sir; 
and if there be ignominy about his grave, his own 
acts have heaped it on him. As to the manner of 
his death, I cannot, and will not speak.” 

“ Be calm, my cousin,” said Cecilia, in an im- 
ploring voice ; “ respect the age of my uncle, and 
remember his strong attachment to Mr. Dillon.” 

The veteran had, however, so far mastered his 
feelings, as to continue the dialogue with more re- 
collection. 

“ Mr. Griffith,” he said, “ I shall not act hasti- 
ly — you and your companion will be pleased to 
retire to your several apartments. I will so far re- 
spect the son of my brother Harry’s friend as to 
believe your parole will be sacred. Go, gentle- 
men; you are unguarded.” 

The two prisoners bowed low to the ladies and 
their host, and retired. Griffith, however, linger- 
ed a moment on the threshold, to say — 

“ Colonel Howard, I leave the boy to your kind- 
ness and consideration. I know you will not for 
get that his blood mingles with that of one who is 
most dear to you.” 

“ Enough, enough, sir,” said the veteran, waving 


THE PILOT. 


403 


his hand to him to retire : u and you, ladies ; this 
is not a place for you, either.” 

u Never will I quit this child,” said Katherine, 
cc while such a horrid imputation lies on him. 
Colonel Howard, act your pleasure on us both, for 
I suppose you have the power ; but his fate shall 
be my fate.” 

“ There is, I trust, some misconception in this 
melancholy affair,” said Borroughcliffe, advanc- 
ing into the centre of the agitated group ; u and 
I should hope, by calmness and moderation, all 
may yet be explained — young gentleman, you 
have borne arms, and must know, notwithstanding 
your youth, what it is to be in the power of your 
enemies ?” 

u Never !” returned the proud boy ; “ I am a 
captive for the first time.” 

u I speak, sir, in reference to our power.” 
a You may order me to a dungeon; or, as I 
have entered the Abbey in disguise, possibly to a 
gibbet.” 

u And is that a fate to be met so calmly by one 
so young !” 

“ You dare not do it, Captain Borroughcliffe,” 
cried Katherine, involuntarily throwing an arm 
around the boy, as if to shield him from harm ; 
u you would blush to think of such a cold-blooded 
act of vengeance,. Colonel Howard.” 

“ If we could examine the young man, where 
the warmth of feeling, which these ladies exhibit, 
might not be excited,” said the captain, apart to 
his host, u we should gain important intelligence.” 
u Miss Howard, and you, Miss Plowden,” said 
the veteran, in a manner that long habit had taught 
his wards to respect, u your young kinsman is not 
in the keeping of savages, and you can safely con- 
fide him to my custody. I am sorry that we have 


404 


THE PILOT. 


so long kept Miss Alice standing, but she will find 
relief on the couches of your drawing-room, Ce- 
cilia.” 

Cecilia and Katherine permitted themselves to 
ne conducted to the door, by their polite, but de- 
termined guardian, where he bowed to their retir- 
ing persons, with the exceeding courtesy that he 
never failed to use, when in the least excited. 

“ You appear to know" your danger, Mr. Merry,” 
said Borroughcliffe, after the door w T as closed ; 
u I trust you also know what duty would dictate 
to one in my situation.” 

“Do it, sir,” returned the boy; “you have a 
king to render an account to, and I have a coun- 
try.” 

“ I may have a country, also,” said Borrough- 
cliffe, with a calmness that was not in the least 
disturbed by the taunting air with which the 
youth delivered himself. “ It is possible for me, 
however, to be lenient, even merciful, when the 
interests of that prince, to whom you allude, are 
served — you came not on this enterprise alone, 
sir ?” 

“ Had I come better attended, Captain Bor- 
roughcliffe might have heard these questions, in- 
stead of putting them.” 

“ I am happy, sir, that your retinue has been so 
small : and yet, even the rebel schooner called the 
Ariel might have furnished you with a more be- 
coming attendance. I cannot but think, that you 
are not far distant from your friends.” 

“ He is near his enemies, your honour,” said 
Sergeant Drill, who had entered the room, unob- 
served ; “ for here is a boy who says he has been 
seized in the old ruin, and robbed of his goods and 
clothes ; and, by his description, this lad should 
be the thief.” 


THE PILOT. 


405 


Borroughcliffe signed to the boy, who stood in 
the back ground, to advance, and he was instantly 
obeyed, with all that eagerness which a sense of 
injury on the part of the sufferer could excite. 
The tale of this unexpected intruder was soon told, 
and was briefly this : 

He had been assaulted by a man and a boy, 
( the latter was in presence, ) while arranging his 
effects, in the ruin, preparatory to exhibiting them 
to the ladies of the Abbey, and had been robbed 
of such part of his attire as the boy had found 
necessary for his disguise, together with his bas- 
ket of valuables. He had been put into an 
apartment of an old tower, by the man, for safe 
keeping ; but as the latter frequently ascended to 
its turret, to survey the country, he had availed 
himself of this remissness, to escape : and, to con- 
clude, he demanded a restoration of his property, 
and vengeance for his wrongs. 

Merry heard his loud and angry details with 
scornful composure, and before the offended ped- 
ier was through his narrative, had divested him- 
self of the borrowed garments, which he threw to 
the other with singular disdain. 

We are beleaguered, mine host! beset! be- 
sieged !” cried Borroughcliffe, when the other 
had ended. u Here is a rare plan to rob us of 
our laurels ! ay, and of our rewards ! but, hark ye, 
Drill ! they have old soldiers to deal with, and we 
shall look into the matter. One would wish to 
triumph on foot ; you understand me ? — there 
was no horse in the battle. Go, fellow, I see 
you grow wiser ; take this young gentleman — and 
remember he is a young gentleman — put him in 
safe keeping, but see him supplied with all he 
wants.” 

Borroughcliffe bowed politely to the haughty 


406 


THE PILOT. 


bend of the body with which Merry, who now 
began to think himself a martyr to his country, 
followed the orderly from the room. 

u There is metal in the lad !” exclaimed the 
captain ; “ and if he live to get a beard, ’twill be 
a hardy dog who ventures to pluck it. I am 
glad, mine host, that this c wandering jew’ has 
arrived, to save the poor fellow’s feelings, for I 
detest tampering with such a noble spirit. I saw, 
by his eye, that he had squinted oftener over a 
gun, than through a needle !” 

“ But they have murdered my kinsman ! — the 
loyal, the learned, the ingenious Mr. Christopher 
Dillon !” 

u If they have done so, they shall be made to 
answer it,” said Borroughcliffe, re-seating him- 
self at the table, with a coolness that furnished an 
ample pledge of the impartiality of his judgment ; 
“ but let us learn the facts, before we do aught 
hastily.” 

Colonel How r ard was fain to comply w T ith so 
reasonable a proposition, and he resumed his 
chair, while his companion proceeded to institute 
a close examination of the pedler boy. 

We shall defer, until the proper time may ar- 
rive, recording the result of his inquiries ; but 
shall so far satisfy the curiosity of our readers, as 
to tell them, that the captain learned sufficient to 
convince him a very serious attempt was medi- 
tated on the Abbey ; and, as he thought, enough, 
also, to enable him to avert the danger. 


CHAPTER XXYI. 


u I have not seen 

So likely an embassador of love.” 

Merchant of Venice. 


Cecilia and Katherine separated from Alice 
Dunscombe in the lower gallery of the cloisters ; 
and the cousins ascended to the apartment which 
was assigned them as a dressing-room. The in- 
tensity of feeling that was gradually accumulat- 
ing in the breasts of the ladies, as circumstances 
brought those in whom their deepest interests 
were centered, into situations of extreme delica- 
cy, if not of actual danger, perhaps, in some 
measure, prevented them from experiencing all 
that concern which the detection and arrest of 
Merry might be supposed to excite. The boy, 
like themselves, was an only child of one of those 
three sisters, who caused the close connexion be- 
tween so many of our characters ; and his tendei 
years had led his cousins to regard him with an 
affection that exceeded the ordinary interest of 
such an affinity ; but they knew, that in the 
hands of Colonel How r ard his person was safe, 
though his liberty might be endangered. When 
the first emotions, therefore, which weie created 


408 


THE PILOT. 


oy his sudden appearance, after so long an absence, 
had subsided, their thoughts were rather occupied 
by the consideration of what consequences, to 
others, might proceed from his arrest, than by any 
reflections on the midshipman’s actual condition. 
Secluded from the observations of any strange 
eyes, the two maidens indulged their feelings, 
without restraint, according to their several tem- 
peraments. Katherine moved to and fro, in the 
apartment, with feverish anxiety, while Miss 
Howard, by concealing her countenance under the 
ringlets of her luxuriant, dark hair, and shading her 
eyes with a fair hand, seemed to be willing to com- 
mune with her thoughts more quietly. 

u Barnstable cannot be far distant,” said the 
former, after a few minutes had passed ; u for he 
never would have sent that child on such an er- 
rand, by himself!” 

Cecilia raised her mild, blue eyes to the counte- 
nance of her cousin, as she answered — 

u All thoughts of an exchange must now be 
abandoned ; and perhaps the persons of the prison- 
ers will be held as pledges, to answer for the life 
of Dillon.” 

“ Can the wretch be dead ? or is it merely a 
threat, or some device of that urchin ? he is a for- 
ward child, and would not hesitate to speak and 
act boldly, on emergency.” 

“ He is dead !” returned Cecilia, veiling her 
face again, in horror ; a the eyes of the boy, his 
whole countenance, confirmed his words ! I fear, 
Katherine, that Mr. Barnstable has suffered his re- 
sentment to overcome his discretion, when he 
learned the treachery of Dillon ; surely, surely, 
though the hard usages of war may justify so 
dreadful a revenge on an enemy, it was unkind to 
forget the condition of his own friends !” 


THE PILOT. 


409 


u Mr. Barnstable has done neither. Miss How- 
ard,” said Katherine, checking her uneasy foot- 
steps, her light form swelling with pride ; u Mr. 
Barnstable is equally incapable of murdering an 
enemy, or of deserting a friend!” 

“ But retaliation is neither deemed nor called 
murder, by men in arms.” 

“ Think it what you will, call it what you will, 
Cecilia Howard, I will pledge my life, that Rich- 
ard Barnstable has to answer for the blood of none 
but the open enemies of his country.” 

“ The miserable man may have fallen a sacri- 
fice to the anger of that terrific seaman, who led 
him hence as a captive !” 

“ That terrific seaman, Miss Howard, has a 
heart as tender as your own. He is — ” 

“ Nay, Katherine,” interrupted Cecilia, “ you 
chide me unkindly ; let us not add to our unavoid- 
ably misery, by such harsh contention.” 

“ I do not contend with you, Cecilia ! I merely 
defend the absent and the innocent from your un 
kind suspicions, my cousin.” 

“ Say, rather your sister,” returned Miss How 
ard, as their hands involuntarily closed upon each 
other, “for we are surely sisters ! But let us strive 
Co think of something less horrible. Poor, poor 
Dillon ! now that he has met a fate so terrible, I 
can even fancy him less artful and more upright 
than we had thought him! You agree with me, 
Katherine, I see by your countenance, and we will 
dwell no longer on the subject. — Katherine ! my 
cousin Kate, what see you ?” 

Miss Plowden, as she relinquished her pres- 
sure of the hand of Cecilia, had renewed her walk 
with a more regulated step ; but she was yet mak- 
ing her first turn across the room, when her eyes 
became keenly set on the opposite window, and her 

35 


410 


THE PILOT. 


whole frame was held in an attitude of absorbed 
attention. The rays of the setting sun fell bright 
upon her dark glances, which seemed fastened on 
some distant object, and gave an additional glow 
to the mantling colour that was slowly stealing, 
across her cheeks, to her temples. Such a sudden 
alteration in the manner and appearance of her 
companion had not failed to catch the attention of 
Cecilia, who, in consequence, interrupted herself 
by the agitated question we have related. Kathe- 
rine slowly beckoned her companion to her side, 
and, pointing in the direction of the wood that lay 
in view, she said — 

a See yon tower, in the ruin ! Do you observe 
those small spots of pink and yellow that are flut- 
tering above its walls ?” 

u I do. They are the lingering remnants of the 
foliage of some tree ; but they want the vivid tints 
which grace the autumn of our own dear America !” 

u One is the work of God, and the other has 
been produced by the art of man. Cecilia, those 
are no leaves, but they are my own childish sig- 
nals, and without doubt Barnstable himself is on 
that ruined tower. Merry cannot, will not, betray 
him !” 

u My life should be a pledge for the honour of 
our little cousin,” said Cecilia. a But you have the 
telescope of my uncle at hand, ready for such an 
event ! one look through it will ascertain the 
truth — ” 

Katherine sprang to the spot where the instru- 
ment stood, and with eager hands she prepared it 
for the necessary observation. 

“ It is he !” she cried the instant her eye was put 
to the glass. u I even see his head above the stones. 
How unthinking to expose himself so unnecessari- 
ly !” 


THE PILOT. 


411 


“ Bat what says he, Katherine ?” exclaimed Ce- 
cilia ; u you alone can interpret his meaning. 55 

The little book which contained the explana- 
tions of Miss Plowden’s signals was now hastily 
produced, and its leaves rapidly run over in quest 
of the necessary number. 

“ 5 Tis only a question to gain my attention. I 
must let him know he is observed. 55 

When Katherine, as much to indulge her secret 
propensities, as with any hope of its usefulness, 
had devised this plan for communicating with 
Barnstable, she had, luckily, not forgotten to ar- 
range the necessary means to reply to his inter- 
rogatories. A very simple arrangement of some 
of the ornamental cords of the window-eurtains 
enabled her to effect this purpose ; and her nimble 
fingers soon fastened the pieces of silk to the lines, 
which were now thrown into the air, when these 
signals in miniature were instantly displayed in 
the breeze. 

“ lie sees them ! 55 cried Cecilia, u and is pre- 
paring to change his flags. 55 

u Keep then your eye on him, my cousin, and 
tell me the colours that he shows, with their order, 
and 1 w r ill endeavour to read his meaning. 55 

“ He is as expert as yourself ! There are two 
more of them fluttering above the stones again : 
the upper is w r hite, and the lower black. 55 

u White over black, 55 repeated Katherine, rapid- 
ly, to herself, as she turned the leaves of her 
book. — u 1 My messenger : has lie been seen V — 
To that we must answer the unhappy truth. Here 
it is — yellow, white, and red — c he is a 'prisoner? 
How tort unate that I should have prepared such a 
question and answer. What says he, Cecilia, to 
this news ? 55 

u He is busy making his changes, dear. Nay, 


412 


THE PILOT. 


Katherine, you shake so violently as to move the 
glass ! Now he is done ; ? tis yellow over black, 
this time.” 

u c Griffith , or whoV He does not understand 
us ; but I had thought of the poor boy, in making 
out the numbers — ah ! here it is ; yellow, green, 
and red — c my cousin Merry A — He cannot fail to 
understand us now.” 

u He has already taken in his flags. The news 
seems to alarm him, for he is less expert than be- 
fore. He shows them now — they are green, red, 
and yellow.” 

“ The question is, c Am I safeV ’Tis that 
which made him tardy, Miss Howard,” continued 
Katherine. u Barnstable is ever slow to consult 
bis safety. But how shall I answer him ? should 
we mislead him now, how could we ever forgive 
ourselves !” 

u Of Andrew Merry there is no fear,” returned 
Cecilia, u and I think if Captain Borroughcliffe 
had any intimation of the proximity of his enemies, 
he would not continue at the table.” 

“ He will stay there while wine will sparkle, and 
man can swallow,” said Katherine ; “ but we know, 
by sad experience, that he is a soldier on an emer- 
gency ; and yet, I’ll trust to his ignorance this 
time — here, I have an answer: c you are yet sa/e y 
but be wary A ” 

“ He reads your meaning with a quick eye, 
Katherine ; and he is ready with his answer too : 
he shows green over white this time. Well! do 
you not hear me ? ’tis green over white. Why, 
you are dumb — what says he, dear ?” 

Still Katherine answered not, and her cousin 
raised her eyes from the glass, and beheld her 
companion gazing earnestly at the open page, 
while the glow which excitement had before 


THE PILOT. 


413 


brought to her check, was increased to a still 
deeper bloom. 

u I hope your blushes and his signals are not 
ominous, Kate,” added Cecilia ; u can green imply 
his jealousy, as white does your purity ? what 
says he, coz ?” 

“ He talks, like yourself, much nonsense,” said 
Katherine, turning to her flags, with a pettish air, 
that was singularly contradicted by her gratified 
countenance ; u but the situation of things requires 
that I should talk to Barnstable more freely.” 

“ I can retire,” said Cecilia, rising from her 
chair with a grave manner. 

a Nay, Cecilia, I do not deserve these looks — 
? tis you who exhibit levity now ! But you can per- 
ceive for yourself, that evening is closing in, and 
that some other medium for conversation, besides 
the eyes, may be adopted. — Here is a signal, 
which will answer : c When the Abbey clock strikes 
nine , come with care to the wicket , which opens , at 
the east side of the Paddock , on the road : until 
then , keep secret S I had prepared this very signal, 
in case an interview should be necessary.” 

u Well, he sees it,” returned Cecilia, who had 
resumed her place by the telescope, u and seems 
disposed to obey you, for I no longer discern his 
flags or his person.” 

Miss Howard now arose from before the glass ; 
her observations being ended ; but Katherine did 
not return the instrument to its corner, without fas- 
tening one long and anxious look through it, on 
what now appeared to be the deserted tower. The 
interest and anxiety produced by this short and 
imperfect communication between Miss Plowden 
and her lover, did not fail to excite reflections in 
both the ladies, that furnished materials to hold 
them in earnest discourse, until the entrance of 

35 * 


414 


THE PILOT. 


Alice Dunscombe announced that their presence 
was expected below. Even the unsuspecting Alice, 
on entering, observed a change in the countenances 
and demeanour of the two cousins, which betrayed 
that their secret conference had not been entirely 
without contention. The features of Cecilia were 
disturbed and anxious, and their expression not 
unlike melancholy ; while the dark flashing eye, 
flushed temples, and proud, determined step of 
Katherine exhibited in an equal, if not a greater 
degree, a very different emotion. As no reference 
to the subject of their conversation ’was, however, 
made by either of the young ladies, after the en- 
trance of Alice, she led the way, in silence, to the 
drawing room. 

The ladies were received, by Col. Howard and 
Borroughcliffe, with marked attention. In the 
former thSre were moments when a deep gloom 
would, in spite of his very obvious exertions to the 
contrary, steal over his open, generous counte- 
nance ; but the recruiting officer maintained an air 
of immoveable coolness and composure. Twenty 
times did he detect the piercing looks of Kathe- 
rine fastened on him, with an intentness, that a 
less deliberative man might have had the vanity 
to misinterpret ; but even this flattering testi- 
monial of his power to attract, failed to disturb 
his self-possession. It was in vain that Kathe- 
rine endeavoured to read his countenance, where 
every thing was fixed in military rigidity, though 
lus deportment appeared more than usually easy 
and natural. Tired at length with her fruit- 

less scrutiny, the excited girl turned her gaze 
upon the clock : to her amazement, she discovered 
that it was on the stroke of nine, and, disregarding 
a deprecating glance from her cousin, she arose 
and quitted the apartment. Borroughcliffe open- 


THE PILOT. 


415 


ed the door for her exit, and, while the lady civilly 
bowed her head in acknowledgment of his attention, 
their eyes once more met ; but she glided quickly 
by him, and found herself alone in the gallery. Ka- 
therine hesitated, more than a minute, to proceed, 
for she thought she had detected in that glance a 
lurking expression, that manifested conscious se- 
curity mingled with secret design. It was not her 
nature, however, to hesitate, when circumstances 
required that she should be both prompt and alert ; 
and, throwing over her slight person a large cloak, 
ihat was in readiness for the occasion, she stole 
warily from the building. 

Although Katherine suspected most painfully, 
that Borroughcliffe had received intelligence that 
might prove dangerous to her lover, she look- 
ed around her in vain, on gaining the open air, 
to discover any alteration in the arrangements for 
the defence of the Abbey, which might confirm 
her suspicions, or the knowledge of which might 
enable her to instruct Barnstable how to avoid 
the secret danger. Every disposition remained as 
it had been since the capture of Griffith and 
his companion. She heard the heavy, quick 
steps of the sentinel, who was posted beneath their 
windows, endeavouring to warm himself on his 
confined post ; and as she paused to listen, she 
also detected the rattling of arms from the soldier, 
who, as usual, guarded the approach of that part 
of the building where his comrades were quartered. 
The night had set in cloudy and dark, although 
the gale had greatly subsided towards the close of 
the day ; still the wind swept heavily, and, at mo- 
ments, with a rushing noise, among the irregular 
walls of the edifice ; and it required the utmost 
nicety of ear to distinguish even these well-known 
sounds, among such accompaniments. When 


416 


THJE PILOT. 


Katherine, however, was satisfied that her organ,! 
had not deceived her, she turned an anxious eye 
in the direction of what Borroughcliffe called his 
u barracks .’ 5 Every thing in that direction ap- 
peared so dark and still, as to create a sensation 
of uneasiness, by its very quiet. It might be 
the silence of sleep that now pervaded the or- 
dinarily gay and mirthful apartment ! or it might, 
be the stillness of a fearful preparation ! There 
was no time, however, for further hesitation, and 
Katherine drew her cloak more closely about her 
form, and proceeded, with light and guarded steps., 
to the appointed spot. As she approached the wick- 
et the clock struck the hour, and she again paused y 
while the mournful sounds were borne by her 
on the wind, as if expecting that each stroke on 
the bell would prove a signal to unmask some 
secret design of Borroughcliffe. As the last vi- 
bration melted away, she opened the little gate, and 
issued on the highway. The figure of a man. 
sprang forward from behind an angle of the wall,, 
as she appeared ; and while her heart was still 
throbbing with the suddenness of the alarm, she 
bund herself in the arms of Barnstable. After 
the first few words of recognition and pleasure 
which the young sailor uttered, he acquainted his 
mistress with the loss of his schooner, and the 
situation of the survivors. 

“ And now, Katherine,” he concluded, u you 
have come, I trust, never to quit me ; or, at most* 
to return no more to that old Abbey, unless it be 
to aid in liberating Griffith, and then to join me 
again for ever.” 

u Why, truly, there is so much to tempt a young 
woman to renounce her home and friends, in the 
description you have just given of your condition, 
that I hardly know how to refuse your request, 


THE PILOT. 


417 


Barnstable. You are very tolerably provided with 
a dwelling in the ruin ; and I suppose certain pre- 
datory schemes are to be adopted to make it ha- 
bitable ! St. Ruth is certainly well supplied with 
the necessary articles, but whether we should not 
De shortly removed to the Castle at York, or the 
gaol at Newcastle, is a question that I put to your 
discretion.” 

u Why yield your thoughts to such silly sub- 
jects, lovely trifler !” said Barnstable, a when 
the time and the occasion both urge us to be in 
earnest . ? ” 

“ It is a woman’s province to be thrifty, and to 
look after the comforts of domestic life,” returned 
his mistress ; “ and I would discharge my func- 
tions with credit. But I feel you are vexed, for, to 
see your dark countenance is out of the question, 
on such a night. When do you propose to com- 
mence housekeeping, if I should yield to your 
proposals ?” 

u I have not concluded relating my plans, and 
your provoking wit annoys me ! The vessel I have 
taken, will, unquestionably, come into the land, as 
the gale dies ; and I intend making my escape in 
her, after beating this Englishman, and securing 
the liberty of Miss Howard and yourself. I could 
see the frigate in the offing, even before we left 
the cliffs.” 

u This certainly sounds better !” rejoined Kathe- 
rine, in a manner that indicated she w r as musing 
on their prospects ; “ and yet there may exist some 
difficulties in the w T ay that you little suspect.” 

“ Difficulties there are none — there can be 
none.” 

u Speak not irreverently of the mazes of love, 
Mr. Barnstable. When v r as it ever known to exist 
unfettered or unembarrassed ? even I have an ex- 


418 


THE PITOT. 


planation to ask of you, that 1 would much rather 
let alone.” 

u Of me ! ask what you will, or how you will ; 
1 am a careless, unthinking fellow, Miss Plowden; 
but to you I have little to answer for — unless a 
foolish sort of adoration be an offence against your 
merits.” 

Barnstable felt the little hand that was sup- 
ported on his arm, pressing the limb, as Kathe- 
rine replied, in a tone so changed from its former 
forced levity, that he started as the first sounds 
reached his ears. u Merry has brought in a horrid 
report !” she said ; “I would I could believe it 
untrue ! but the looks of the boy, and the absence 
of Dillon, both confirm it.” 

u Poor Merry ! he too has fallen into the trap 1 
but they shall yet find one who is too cunning for 
them. Is it to the fate of that wretched Dillon 
that you allude ?” 

u He was a wretch,” continued Katherine, in the 
same voice, u and he deserved much punishment at 
your hands, Barnstable ; but life is the gift of God, 
and is not to be taken whenever human vengeance 
would appear to require a victim.” 

“ His life was taken by him who bestowed it,” 
said the sailor. “ Is it Katherine Plowden who 
would suspect me of the deed of a dastard !” 
u I do not suspect you — I did not suspect you,” 
cried Katherine ; “ I will never suspect any evil of 
you again. You are not, you cannot be angry 
with me, Barnstable ? had you heard the cruel 
suspicions of my cousin Cecilia, and had your 
imagination been busy in portraying your wrongs 
and the temptations to forget mercy, like mine, even 
while my tongue denied your agency in the sus- 
pected deed, you would — you would at least have 
learned how much easier it is to defend those we 


THE PILOT* 


419 


love against the open attacks of others, than 
against our own jealous feelings.” 

u Those words, love and jealousy, will obtain 
your acquittal,” cried Barnstable, in his natural 
voice ; and, after uttering a few more consoling as- 
surances to Katherine, whose excited feelings 
found vent in tears, he briefly related the manner 
of Dillon’s death. 

“ I had hoped I stood higher in the estimation 
of Miss Howard, than to be subjected to even her 
suspicions,” he said, when he had ended his expla- 
nation. u Griffith has been but a sorry representa- 
tive of our trade, if he has left such an opinion of 
its pursuits.” 

u I do not know that Mr. Griffith would alto- 
gether have escaped my conjectures, had he been 
the disappointed commander, and you the prison- 
er,” returned Katherine ; u you know not how 
much we have both studied the usages of war, and 
with what dreadful pictures of hostages, retalia- 
tions, and military executions, our minds are stored ! 
but a mountain is raised off my spirits, and I could 
almost say, that I am now ready to descend the 
valley of life in your company.” 

“ It is a discreet determination, my good Kathe- 
rine, and God bless you for it; the companion 
may not be so good as you deserve, but you will 
find him ambitious of your praise. Now let us de- 
vise means to effect our object.” 

“ Therein lies another of my difficulties. Griffith, 
1 much fear, will not urge Cecilia to another flight, 
against her — her — what shall I call it, Barnsta- 
ble — her caprice, or her judgment ? Cecilia will 
never consent to desert her uncle, and I cannot 
muster the courage to abandon my poor cousin, in 
the face of the world, in order to take shelter with 
even Mr. Richard Barnstable !” 


420 


THE PILOT. 


u Speak you from the heart now, Katherine 
“Very nearly — if not exactly.” 

“ Then have I been cruelly deceived ! It is ea- 
sier to find a path in the trackless ocean, without 
chart or compass, than to know the windings of a 
woman’s heart !” 

u Nay, nay, foolish man ; you forget that I am 
but small, and how very near my head is to my 
heart ; too nigh, I fear, for the discretion of their 
mistress ! but is there no method of forcing Grif- 
fith and Cecilia to their own good, without undue 
violence ?” 4 

u It cannot be done ; he is my senior in rank, 
and the instant I release him he will claim the com- 
mand. A question might be raised, at a leisure 
moment, on the merits of such a claim- — but even 
my own men are, as you know, nothing but a draft 
from the frigate, and they would not hesitate to 
obey the orders of the first lieutenant, who is not a 
man to trifle on matters of duty.” 

“ ’Tis vexatious, truly,” said Katherine, “ that 
all my well concerted schemes in behalf of this 
wayward pair, should be frustrated by their own 
wilful conduct ! But after all, have you justly es- 
timated your strength, Barnstable ? are you cer- 
tain that you would be successful, and that without 
hazard, too, if you should make the attempt?” 
u Morally, and what is better, physically eer 
tain. My men are closely hid, where no one sus- 
pects an enemy to lie ^ they are anxious for the en- 
terprise, and the suddenness of the attack will not 
only make the victory sure, but it will be rendered 
bloodless. You will aid us in our entrance, Kathe- 
rine : I shall first secure this recruiting officer,, 
and his command will then surrender without stri- 
king a blow. Perhaps, after all, Griffith will heal 


THE PILOT. 


421 


reason ; if he do not, I will not yield my authority 
to a released captive, without a struggle.” 

“ God send that there shall be no fighting !” mur- 
mured his companion, a little appalled at the im- 
ages his language had raised before her imagina- 
tion ; u and, Barnstable, I enjoin you, most solemn- 
ly, by all your affection for me, and by every thing 
you deem most sacred, to protect the person of Col. 
Howard at every hazard. There must be no ex- 
cuse, no pretence, for even an insult to my passion- 
ate, good, obstinate, but kind old guardian. I be- 
lieve I have given him already more trouble than 
I am entitled to give any one, and Heaven forbid 
that I should cause him any serious misfortune !” 

“ He shall be safe, and not only he, but all that 
are with him, as you will perceive, Katherine, 
when you hear my plan. Three hours shall not 
pass over my head before you will see me master 
of that old Abbey. Griffith, ay, Griffith, must be 
content to be my inferior, until we get afloat 
again.” 

u Attempt nothing unless you feel certain of be- 
ing able to maintain your advantage, not only 
against your enemies, but also against your 
friends,” said the anxious Katherine. “ Kely on it. 
both Cecilia and Griffith are refining so much on 
their feelings, that neither will be your ally.” 
u This comes of passing the four best years of 
his life within walls of brick, poring over Latin 
Grammars and Syntaxes, and such other nonsense, 
when he should have been rolling them away in a 
good box of live oak, and studying, at the most, 
how to sum up his day’s work, and tell where his 
ship lies after a blow. Your college learning may 
answer well enough for a man who has to live by 
his wits, but it can be of little use to one who is 
never afraid to read human nature, by looking his 

36 


422 


THE PILOT. 


fellow-creatures full in the face, and whose hand 
is as ready as his tongue. I have generally found 
the eye that was good at Latin was dull at a com- 
pass, or in a night squall : and yet, Grif is a sea- 
man ; though I have heard him even read the tes- 
tament in Greek ! Thank God, I had the wisdom 
to run away from school the second day they un- 
dertook to teach me a strange tongue, and I believe 
1 am the more honest man, and the better seaman, 
for my ignorance !” 

a There is no telling what you might have been, 
Barnstable, under other circumstances,” retorted 
his mistress, with a playfulness of manner that she 
could not always repress, though it was indulged 
at the expense of him she most loved ; u I doubt 
not but, under proper training, you would have 
made a reasonably good priest.” 

u If you talk of priests, Katherine, I shall re- 
mind you that we carry one in the ship. But 
listen to my plan, we may talk further of priest- 
craft when an opportunity may offer.” 

Barnstable then proceeded to lay before his mis- 
tress a project he had formed for surprising the 
Abbey that night, which was so feasible, that Ka- 
therine, notwithstanding her recent suspicions of 
Borroughcliffe’s designs, came gradually to be- 
lieve it would succeed. The young seaman an- 
swered her objections with the readiness of an ar- 
dent mind, bent on executing its purposes, and 
with a fertility of resources that proved he was no 
contemptible enemy, in matters that required 
spirited action. Of Merry’s remaining firm and 
faithful he had no doubt ; and although he ac- 
knowledged the escape of the pedler boy, he 
urged that the lad had seen no other of his party 
besides himself, whom he mistook for a common 
marauder 


THE PILOT. 


423 


As the disclosure of these plans was frequently 
interrupted by little digressions, connected with the 
peculiar emotions of the lovers, more than an hour 
flew by, before they separated. But Katherine at 
length reminded him how swiftly the time was 
passing, and how much remained to be done, when 
he reluctantly consented to see her once more en- 
ter the wicket, where they parted. 

Miss Plowden adopted the same precaution in 
returning to the house she had used on leaving it ; 
and she was congratulating herself on its success, 
when her eye caught a glimpse of the figure of a 
man, who was apparently following at some little 
distance, in her footsteps, and dogging her motions. 
As the obscure form, however, paused also when 
she stopped to give it an alarmed, though inquiring 
look, and then slowly retired towards the bounda- 
ry of the paddock, Katherine believing it to be 
Barnstable watching over her safety, entered the 
Abbey, with every idea of alarm entirely lost in 
the pleasing reflection of her lover’s solicitude. 


I. 


CHAPTER XXVII 


* He looks abroad and soon appears, 
O’er Horncliffe-hill, a plorap of apears, 
Beneath a pennon gay.” 

Marmioru 


The sharp sounds of the supper-bell were ring- 
ing along the gallery, as Miss Plowden gained the 
gloomy passage ; and she quickened her steps to 
join the ladies, in order that no further suspicions 
might be excited by her absence. — Alice Duns- 
combe was already proceeding to the dining par- 
lour, as Katherine passed through the door of the 
drawing room, but Miss Howard had loitered be- 
hind, and was met by her cousin alone. 

u You have then been so daring as to venture, 
Katherine !” exclaimed Cecilia. 

“ I have,” returned the other, throwing herself 
into a chair, to recover her agitation — “ I have, 
Cecilia ; and I have met Barnstable, who will soon 
be in the Abbey, and its master.” 

The blood which had rushed to the face of Ce- 
cilia on first seeing her cousin, now retreated to her 
heart, leaving every part of her fine countenance of 
the whiteness of her polished temples, as she said — 
u And we are to have a night of blood !” 


THE PILOT. 


425 


u We are to have a night of freedom, Miss How- 
ard ; freedom to you, and to me ; to Andrew Mer- 
ry, to Griffith, and to his companion !” 

u What freedom more than we now enjoy, Ka- 
therine, is needed by two young women ? Think 
you I can remain silent, and see my uncle betrayed 
before my eyes ? his life perhaps endangered !” 

“ Your own life and person will not be held 
more sacred, Cecilia Howard, than that of your 
uncle. If you will condemn Griffith to a prison, 
and perhaps to a gibbet, betray Barnstable, as you 
have threatened — an opportunity will not be want- 
ing at the supper table, whither I shall lead the 
way, since the mistress of the house appears to for- 
get her duty.” 

Katherine arose, and with a firm step and proud 
eye, she moved along the gallery to the room 
where their presence was expected by the rest of 
the family. Cecilia followed in silence, and the 
whole party immediately took their several places 
at the board. 

The first few minutes were passed in the usual 
attentions of the gentlemen to the ladies, and the 
ordinary civilities of the table ; during which, Ka- 
therine had so far regained the equanimity of her 
feelings, as to commence a watchful scrutiny of the 
manners and looks of her guardian and Borrough- 
cliffe, in which she determined to persevere until 
the eventful hour when she was to expect Barn- 
stable should arrive. Colonel Howard had, how- 
ever, so far got the command of himself, as no 
onger to betray his former abstraction. In its 
place Katherine fancied, at moments, that she 
could discover a settled look of conscious securi- 
ty, mingled a little with an expression of severe 
determination ; such as, in her earlier days, she 
had learned to dread as sure indications of the in- 

36 * 


426 


THE PILOT. 


dignant, but upright justice ot an honourable mind. 
Borroughcliffe, on the other hand, was cool, polite, 
and as attentive to the viands as usual, with the 
alarming exception of discovering much less devo- 
tion to the Pride of the Vineyards, than he com- 
monly manifested on such occasions. In this man- 
ner the meal passed by, and the cloth was re- 
moved, though the ladies appeared willing to re- 
tain their places longer than was customary. Co- 
lonel Howard, tilling up the glasses of Alice Duns- 
combe and himself, passed the bottle to the re- 
cruiting officer, and, with a sort of effort that was 
intended to rouse the dormant cheerfulness of his 
guests, cried — 

“ Come, Borroughcliffe, the ruby lips of youi 
neighbours would be still more beautiful, were 
they moistened with this rich cordial, and that, too, 
accompanied by some loyal sentiment. Miss Alice 
is ever ready to express her fealty to her Sove- 
reign ; in her name, I can give the health of His 
Most Sacred Majesty, with defeat and death to all 
traitors !” 

u If the prayers of an humble subject, and one 
of a sex that has but little need to mingle in the 
turmoil of the world, and that has less right to pre- 
tend to understand the subtilties of statesmen, can 
much avail a High and Mighty Prince like him who 
sits on the throne, then will he never know tem- 
poral evil,” returned Alice, meekly ; “ but I can- 
not wish death to any one, not even to my enemies, 
if any I have, and much less to a people who are 
the children of the same family with myself.” 

u Children of the same family !” the colonel re- 
peated, slowly, and with a bitterness of manner 
that did not fail to attract the painful interest of 
Katherine : u children of the same family ! Ay ! 
even as Absalom was the child of David, or as 


THE PILOT. 


427 


Judas was of the family of the holy Apostles ! But 
let it pass unpledged — let it pass. The accursed 
spirit of rebellion has invaded my dwelling, and 1 
yio longer know where to find one of my house- 
hold, that has not been assailed by its malign in- 
fluence !” 

“ Assailed I may have been, among others,” re- 
turned Alice ; u but not corrupted, i£ purity, in 
this instance, consists in loyalty — ” 

“ What sound is that ?” interrupted the colonel, 
with startling suddenness. u Was it not the crash 
of some violence, Borroughcliffe ?” 

“ It may have been one of my rascals who has 
met with a downfall in passing from the festive 
board, where you know I regale them to-night, in 
honour of our success — to his blanket,” returned 
the captain, with admirable indifference ; u or it 
may be the very spirit of whom you have spoken 
so freely, my host, that has taken umbrage at your 
remarks, and is passing from the hospitable walls 
of St. Ruth into the open air, without submitting to 
the small trouble of ascertaining the position of 
doors. In the latter case there may be some do- 
zen perches or so of wall to replace in the morn- 
ing.” 

The colonel, who had risen, glanced his eyes, 
uneasily from the speaker to the door, and was 
evidently but little disposed to enter into the plea- 
santry of his guest. 

“ There are unusual noises, Captain Borrough- 
cliffe, in the grounds of the Abbey, if not in the 
building itself,” he said, advancing with a fine mi- 
litary air, from the table to the centre of the room, 
“ and, as master of the mansion, I will inquire who 
it is that thus unseasonably disturbs these domains. 
If as friends, they shall have welcome, though 
their visit be unexpected ; and if enemies, they 


428 


THE PILOT. 


shall also meet with such a reception as will be- 
come an old soldier !” 

u No, no,” cried Cecilia, entirely thrown off her 
guard by the manner and language of the veteran, 
and rushing into his arms. u Go not out, my un- 
cle, go not into the terrible fray, my kind, my good 
uncle ! you are old, you have already done more 
than your duty ; why should you be exposed to 
danger ?” 

“ The girl is mad with terror, Borroughcliffe,” 
cried the colonel, bending his glistening eyes fondly 
on his niece, u and you will have to furnish my 
good-for-nothing, gouty old person with a corpo- 
ral’s guard, to watch my night-cap, or the sill}* 
child will have an uneasy pillow, till the sun rises 
once more. But you do not stir, sir ?” 

“ Why should I ?” cried the captain ; u Miss 
Plowden yet deigns to keep me company, and it is 
not in the nature of one of the — — th, to desert 
his bottle and his standard at the same moment. 
For, to a true soldier, the smiles of a lady are as 
imposing in the parlour, as the presence of his co- 
lours in the field.” 

u I continue undisturbed, Captain Borrough- 
cliffe,” said Katherine, “ because I have not been 
an inhabitant, for so many months, of St. Ruth, and 
not learned to know the tunes which the wind can 
play among its chimneys and pointed roofs. The 
noise which has taken Colonel Howard from his 
seat, and which has so unnecessarily alarmed my 
cousin Cicily, is nothing but the iEolian harp of 
the Abbey sounding a double bass.” 

The captain fastened on her composed counte- 
nance, while she was speaking, a look of open ad- 
miration, that brought, though tardily the colour 
more deeply to her cheeks : and he answered with 


THE PILOT. 


429 


something extremely equivocal, both in his empha- 
sis and his air — 

“ I have avowed my allegiance, and I will abide 
by it. So long as Miss Flowden will deign to be- 
stow her company, so long will she find me among 
her most faithful and persevering attendants, come 
who may, or what will.” 

u You compel me to retire,” returned Kathe- 
rine rising, “ whatever may have been my gra- 
cious intentions in the matter; for even female 
vanity must crimson, at an adoration so profound 
as that which can chain Captain Borroughcliffe to 
a supper table ! As your alarm has now dissipated, 
my cousin, v 7 ill you lead the way ? Miss Alice and 
myself attend you.” 

“ But not into the paddock, surely, Miss Plow- 
den,” said the captain ; “ the door, the key of 
which you have just turned, communicates with 
the vestibule. This is the passage to the drawing 
room.” 

The lady faintly laughed, as if in derision of her 
own forgetfulness, while she bowed her acknow- 
ledgment, and moved towards the proper passage ; 
she observed — 

“ The madness of fear has assailed some, I be- 
lieve, who have been able to affect a better dis- 
guise than Miss How r ard.” 

“ Is it the fear of present danger, or of that 
which is in reserve ?” asked the captain ; u but, 
as you have stipulated so generously in behalf ol 
my worthy host here, and of one, also, w 7 ho shall 
be nameless, because he has not deserved such a 
favour at your hands, your safety shall be one of 
rny especial duties in these times of peril.” 

“There is peril, then!” exclaimed Cecilia; 
;c your looks announce it, Capt. Borroughcliffe ! 


430 


THE PILOTo 


The changing countenance of my cousin tells me 
that my fears are too true ! 55 

The soldier had now risen also, and, casting 
aside the air of badinage, which he so much de- 
lighted in, he came forward into the centre of the 
apartment, with the manner of one who felt it was 
time to be serious. 

“ A soldier is ever in peril, when the enemies of 
his king are at hand, Miss Howard , 55 he answered : 
“ and that such is now the case, Miss Plowden 
can testify, if she will. But you are the allies of 
both parties — retire, then, to your own apartments, 
and await the result of the struggle which is at 
hand . 55 

u You speak of danger and hidden perils , 55 said 
Alice Dunscombe ; u know ye aught that justifies 
your fears ? 55 

“ I know all , 55 Borroughcliffe coolly replied. 

u All ! 55 exclaimed Katherine. 

“ All ? 55 echoed Alice, in tones of horror. “ If, 
then, you know all, you must know his desperate 
courage, and powerful hand, when opposed — yield 
in quiet, and he will not harm ye. Believe me, 
believe one who knows his very nature, that no 
lamb can be more gentle than he would be, with 
unresisting women ; nor any lion more fierce, with 
his enemies ! 55 

“ As we happen not to be of the feminine gen- 
der , ,5 returned Borroughcliffe, with an air some- 
what splenetic, “ we must abide the fury of the 
king of beasts. His paw is, even now, at the outer 
door ; and, if my orders have been obeyed, his en- 
trance will be yet easier, than that of the wolf to 
the respectable female ancestor of the little red- 
riding-hood . 55 

“ Stay your hand for one single moment ! 55 said 


THE PILOT. 


431 


Katherine, breathless with interest ; C( you are the 
master of my secret, Captain Borroughcliffe, and 
bloodshed may be the consequence. I can yet go 
forward, and, perhaps, save many inestimable lives, 
Pledge to me your honour, that they who come hi- 
ther as your enemies, this night, shall depart in 
peace, and I will pledge to you my life for the 
safety of the Abbey.” 

“ Oh ! hear her, and shed not human blood !” 
cried Cecilia. 

A loud crash interrupted further speech, and the 
sounds of heavy footsteps were heard in the ad- 
joining room, as if many men were alighting on its 
floor, in quick succession. Borroughcliffe drew 
back, with great coolness, to the opposite side of 
the large apartment, and took a sheathed sword 
from the table where it had been placed ; at the 
same moment the door was burst open, and Barn- 
stable entered alone, but heavily armed. 

u You are my prisoners, gentlemen,” said the 
sailor, as he advanced ; “ resistance is useless, and 
without it you shall receive favour. Ha, Miss Plow- 
den ! my advice was, that you should not be pre- 
sent at this scene.” 

u Barnstable, we are betrayed !” cried the agi- 
tated Katherine. u But it is not yet too late. 
Blood has not yet been spilt, and you can retire, 
without that dreadful alternative, with honour. 
Go, then, delay not another moment ; for, should 
the soldiers of Captain Borroughcliffe come to the 
rescue of their commander, the Abbey would be a 
scene of horror !” 

“ Go you away ; go, Katherine,’" said her lover, 
with impatience ; “ this is no place for such as 
you. But, Captain Borroughcliffe, if such be your 
name, you must perceive that resistance is in vain 
I have ten good pikes in this outer room, in twen- 


432 


THE PILOT. 


ty better hands, and it will be madness to fight 
against such odds.” 

u Show me your strength,” sail the captain, 
u that I may take counsel with mine honour.” 

u Your honour shall be appeased, my brave 
soldier, for such is your bearing, though your 
livery is my aversion, and your cause most un- 
holy ! Heave ahead, boys ! but hold your hands 
for orders.” 

The party of fierce-looking sailors whom Barn- 
stable led, on receiving this order, rushed into the 
room in a medley ; but, notwithstanding the surly 
glances, and savage characters of their dress and 
equipments, they struck no blow, nor committed 
any act of hostility. The ladies shrunk back ap- 
palled, as this terrific little band took possession 
of the hall ; and even Borroughcliffe was seen to 
fall back towards a door, which, in some measure, 
covered his retreat. The confusion of this sudden 
movement had not yet subsided, when sounds 01* 
strife were heard rapidly approaching from a dis- 
tant part of the building, and presently one of the 
numerous doors of the apartment w 7 as violently 
opened, vrhen tw T o of the garrison of the Abbey 
rushed into the hall, vigorously pressed by twice 
their number of seamen, seconded by Griffith, 
Manual, and Merry, who were armed with such 
weapons of offence as had presented themselves to 
their hands, at their unexpected liberation. There 
was a movement on the part of the seamen, who 
already were in possession of the room, that 
threatened instant death to the fugitives;, but 
Barnstable beat dow r n their pikes with his sword, 
and sternly ordered them to fall back. Surprise 
produced the same pacific result among the com- 
batants ; and as the soldiers hastily sought a refuge 
behind their own officers, and the released cap- 


THE PILOT. 


433 


lures, with their liberators, joined the body of their 
friends, the quiet of the hall, which had been so 
rudely interrupted, was soon restored. 

“ You see, sir , 55 said Barnstable, after grasping 
the hands of Griffith and Manual, in a warm and 
cordial pressure^ “ that all my plans have succeed- 
ed. Your sleeping guard are closely watched in 
their barracks, by one party, our officers are re- 
leased, and your sentinels cut off by another, 
while, with a third, I hold the centre of the Abbey, 
and am, substantially, in possession of your own 
person. In consideration, therefore, of what is 
due to humanity, and to the presence of these la- 
dies, let there be no struggle ! I shall impose no 
difficult terms, nor any long imprisonment . 55 

The recruiting officer manifested a composure 
throughout the whole scene, that would have ex- 
cited some uneasiness in his invaders had there 
been opportunity for more minute observation ; but 
his countenance now gradually assumed an appear- 
ance of anxiety, and his head was frequently turn- 
ed, as if listening for further, and more important 
interruptions. ' He answered, however, to this»ap- 
peal with his ordinary deliberation. 

a You speak of conquests, sir, before they are 
achieved. My venerable host and myself are not 
so defenceless as you may choose to imagine . 55 
While speaking he threw aside the cloth of a side 
table, from beneath which, the colonel and himself 
were instantly armed with a brace of pistols each. 
a Here are the death warrants of four of your 
party, and these brave fellows at my back can ac- 
count for two more. I believe, my transatlantic 
warrior, that we are now something in the condi- 
tion of Cortes and the Mexicans, when the former 
overran part of your continent — I being Cortes, 
armed with artificial thunder and lightning, and 

37 


434 


THE PILOT. 


you the Indians, with nothing but your pikes and 
slings, and such other antediluvian inventions* 
Shipwrecks and sea-water are fatal dampers of 
gunpowder !” 

“ That we are unprovided with fire arms, I will 
not deny,” said Barnstable ; “ but we are men who 
are used, from infancy, to depend on our good right 
arms for life and safety, and we know how to use 
them, though we should even grapple with death 1 
As for the trifles in your hands, gentlemen, you 
are not to suppose that men who are trained to 
look in at one end of a thirty-two pounder, loaded 
with grape, while the match is put to the other, 
will so much as wdnk at their report, though you 
fired them by fifties. What say you, boys ! is a 
pistol a w r eapon to repel boarders ?” 

The discordant and disdainful laughs that burst 
from the restrained seamen, were a sufficient pledge 
of their indifference to so trifling a danger. Bor- 
roughcliffe noted their hardened boldness, and tak- 
ing the supper bell, which was lying near him, he 
rang it, for a minute, with great violence. The 
heavy tread of trained footsteps soon followed this 
extraordinary summons ; and presently, the seve- 
ral doors of the apartment w r ere opened, and filled 
with armed soldiers, wearing the livery of the 
English crown. 

“ If you hold these smaller weapons in such 
vast contempt,” said the recruiting officer, when 
he perceived that his men had possessed them- 
selves of all the avenues, u it is in my power to 
try the virtue of some more formidable. Aftei 
this exhibition of my strength, gentlemen, I pre- 
sume you cannot hesitate to submit as prisoners of 
war.” 

The seamen had been formed in something like 
military array, by the assiduity of Manual, during 


THE PILOT. 


435 


the preceding dialogue ; and as the different doors 
had discovered fresh accessions to the strength of 
the enemy, the marine industriously offered new 
fronts, until the small party was completely ar- 
ranged in a hollow square, that might have proved 
formidable in a charge, bristled as it was with the 
deadly pikes of the Ariel. 

“ Here has been some mistake,” said Griffith, 
after glancing his eye at the formidable array of the 
soldiers ; u I take precedence of Mr. Barnstable, 
and I shall propose to you, Captain Borrough- 
cliffe, terms that may remove this scene of strife 
from the dwelling of Colonel Howard.” 

“ The dwelling of Colonel Howard,” cried the 
veteran, “ is the dwelling of his king, or of the 
meanest servant of the crown ! so, Borroughcliffe, 
spare not the traitors on my behalf ; accept no 
other terms than such unconditional submission as 
is meet to exact from the rebellious subjects of the 
Anointed of the Lord.” 

While Griffith spoke, Barnstable folded his arms, 
in affected composure, and glanced his eyes ex- 
pressively at the shivering Katherine, who, with 
her companions, still continued agitated spectators 
of all that passed, chained to the spot by their ap- 
prehensions ; but to this formidable denunciation 
of the master of the Abbey he deemed proper to 
reply— 

u Now, by every hope I have of sleeping again 
on salt water, old gentleman, if it were not for the 
presence of these three trembling females, but I 
should feel tempted to dispute, at once, the title 
of his majesty — you may make such a covenant as 
^ou will with Mr. Griffith, but if it contain one syl- 
lable about submission to your king, or of any other 
allegiance, than that which I owe to the Continental 
Congress, and the state of Massachusetts, you may 


436 


THE PILOT. 


as well considei the terms violated at once , for 
not an article of such an agreement will I consider 
as binding on me, or on any that shall choose to 
follow me as leader.” 

“ Here are but two leaders, Mr. Barnstable,” 
interrupted the haughty Griffith ; “ the one of the 
enemy, and the other, of the arms of America. 
Captain Borroughcliffe, to you, as the former, I ad- 
dress myself. The great objects of the contest, 
which now unhappily divides England from her 
ancient colonies, can be, in no degree, affected by 
the events of this night ; while, on the other hand, 
by a rigid adherence to military notions, much 
private evil and deep domestic calamity must fol- 
low any struggle in such a place. We have but 
to speak, sir, and these rude men, who already 
stand impatiently handling their instruments of 
death, will aim them at each other’s lives ; and who 
can say that he shall be able to stay their hands 
when and where he w ill ! I know you to be a 
soldier, and that you are not yet to learn how 
much easier it is to stimulate to blood, than to glut 
vengeance.” 

Borroughcliffe, unused to the admission of vio- 
lent emotions, and secure in the superiority of his 
own party, both in numbers and equipments, heard 
him with the coolest composure to the end, and 
then answered in his customary manner — 

“ I honour your logic, sir. Your premises are 
indisputable, and the conclusion most obvious. 
Commit, then, those worthy tars to the good keep- 
ing of honest Drill, who will see their famished na- 
tures revived by divers eatables, and a due pro- 
portion of suitable fluids ; while we can discuss the 
manner in which vou are to return to the colonies, 
around a bottle of liquor, which my friend Manual 
there, assures me has come from the sunny side 


THE PILOT. 


437 


of the island of Madeira, to be drunk in a bleak 
corner of that of Britain. By my palate 1 but the 
rascals brighten at the thought. They know by 
instinct, sir, that a shipwrecked mariner is a fitter 
companion to a ration of beef and a pot of porter, 
that to such unsightly things as bayonets and 
boarding-pikes ! 55 

“ Trifle not unseasonably ! 55 exclaimed the im 
patient young sailor. u You have the odds in num 
bers, but whether it will avail you much in a dead- 
ly struggle of hand to hand, is a question you must 
put to your prudence : we stand not here to ask 
terms, but to grant them. You must be brief, sir, 
for the time is wasting Avhile we delay . 55 

u I have offered to you the means of obtaining 
m perfection the enjoyment of the three most an- 
cient of the numerous family of the arts — eating, 
drinking, and sleeping! What more do you re- 
quire ? 55 

“ That you order these men, who fill the pass to 
the outer door, to fall back and give us room. 1 
would take, in peace, these armed men from before 
the eyes of those who are unused to such sights. 
Before you oppose this demand, think how easily 
these hardy fellows could make a way for them- 
selves, against your divided force. 55 

“ Your companion, the experienced Captain Ma- 
nual, will tell you that such a manoeuvre would be 
very unmilitary with a superior body in your 
rear ! 55 

u I have not leisure, sir, for this folly, 55 cried 
the indignant Griffith. u Do you refuse us an un- 
molested retreat from the Abbey ? 55 

“ I do. 55 

Griffith turned, with a look of extreme emotion, 
to the ladies, and beckoned to them to retire, una- 
ble to give utterance to his wishes in words. Af- 

37 * 


438 


THE PILOT. 


ter a moment of deep silence, however, he once 
more addressed Borroughcliffe in the tones of con- 
ciliation. 

“ If Manual and myself will return to our pri- 
sons, and submit to the will of your government , 55 
he said, u can the rest of the party return to the 
frigate unmolested ? 55 

u They cannot,” replied the soldier, who, per- 
ceiving that the crisis approached, was gradually 
losing his artificial deportment in the interest of the 
moment. u You, and all others, who willingly in- 
vade the peace of these realms, must abide the is- 
sue . 55 

“ Then God protect the innocent and defend the 
right !” 

u Amen . 55 

u Give way, villains !” cried Griffith, facing the 
party that held the outer door ; “ give way, or you 
shall be riddled with our pikes !” 

“ Show them your muzzles, men !” shouted 
Borroughcliffe ; cc but pull no trigger till they ad- 
vance.” 

There was an instant of bustle and preparation, 
in which the rattling of fire arms, blended with the 
suppressed execrations and threats of the intended 
combatants ; and Cecilia and Katherine had both 
covered their faces to veil the horrid sight that was 
momentarily expected, when Alice Dunscombe ad- 
vanced, boldly, between the points of the threat- 
ening weapons, and spoke in a voice that stayed 
the hands that were already uplifted. 

“ Hear me, men ! if men ye be, and not demons, 
thirsting for each other’s blood ; though ye walk 
abroad in the semblance of him who died that ye 
might be elevated to the rank of angels ! call ye 
this war ? Is this the glory that is made to warm 
the hearts of even silly and confiding women ? Is 


THE PILOT. 


439 


the peace of families to be destroyed to gratify 
your wicked lust for conquest ; and is life to be 
taken in vain, in order that ye may boast of the 
foul deed in your wicked revels ! Fall back, then, 
ye British soldiers ! if ye be worthy of that name, 
and give passage to a woman ; and remember that 
the first shot that is fired will be buried in her bo- 
som !” 

The men, thus enjoined, shrunk before her com- 
manding mien, and a way was made for her exit 
through that very door which Griffith had, in vain, 
solicited might be cleared for himself and party. 
But Alice, instead of advancing, appeared to have 
suddenly lost the use of those faculties which had 
already effected so much. Her figure seemed root- 
ed to the spot where she had spoken, and her eyes 
were fixed in a settled gaze as if dwelling on some 
horrid object. While she yet stood in this attitude 
of unconscious helplessness, the door-way became 
again darkened, and the figure of the Pilot was 
seen on its threshold, clad, as usual, in the humble 
vestments of his profession, but heavily armed 
with the weapons of naval war. For an instant, he 
stood a silent spectator of the scene ; and then ad- 
vanced calmly, but with searching eyes, into the 
centre of the apartment. 


CHAPTER XXYIH, 


Don Ftirc. Welcome Seignior: you are almost come to part, almost a frsj 

Much ado about nothing 1 


“ Down with your arms, you Englishmen !” said 
the daring intruder ; u and you, who fight m the 
cause of sacred liberty, stay your hands, that no 
unnecessary blood may flow. Yield yourself, proud 
Briton, to the power of the Thirteen Republics !” 
u Ha !” exclaimed Borroughcliffe, grasping a 
pistol, with an air of great resolution, u the work 
thickens — I had not included this man in my esti- 
mate of their numbers. Is he a Samson, that his 
single arm can change the face of things so sudden- 
ly ! Down with your own weapon, you masque- 
rader, or at the report of this pistol, your body 
shall become a target for twenty bullets.” 

“ And thine for a hundred !” returned the pilot 
— u without there ! wind your call, fellow, and 
bring in our numbers. We will let this confident 
gentleman feel his weakness.” 

He had not done speaking, before the shrill 
whistle of a boatswain rose gradually on the ears 
of the listeners, until the sense of hearing became 
painfully oppressed, by the piercing sounds that 
rung under the arched roof of the hall, and pene- 
trated even to the most distant recesses of the Ah- 


THE PILOT. 


441 


bey. A tremendous rush of men followed, who 
drove in before them the terrified fragment of Bor- 
roughcliffe’s command, that had held the vestibule } 
and the outer room became filled with a dark mass 
of human bodies. 

u Let them hear ye, lads !” cried their leader 
u the Abbey is your own !” 

The roaring of a tempest was not louder than 
the shout that burst from his followers, who con- 
tinued their cheers, peal on peal, until the very 
roof of the edifice appeared to tremble with their 
vibrations. Numerous dark and shaggy heads 
were seen moving around the passage ; some cased 
in the iron-bound caps of the frigate’s boarders, 
and others glittering with the brazen ornaments 
of her marine guard. The sight of the latter did 
not fail to attract the eye of Manual, who rushed 
among the throng, and soon re-appeared, followed 
by a trusty band of his own men, who took pos- 
session of the post held by the soldiers of Bor- 
roughcliffe, while the dialogue was continued be- 
tween the leaders of the adverse parties. 

Thus far Colonel Howard had yielded to his 
guest, with a deep reverence for the principles of 
military subordination, the functions of a com- 
mander, but, now that affairs appeared to change 
so materially, he took on himself the right to ques- 
tion these intruders into his dwelling. 

u By what authority, sir,” the Colonel demand- 
ed, “ is it that you dare thus to invade the castle 
of a subject of this realm ? Do you come backed 
by the commission of the lord lieutenant of the 
county, or has your warrant the signature of His 
Majesty’s Secretary for the Home Department?” 

u I bear no commission from any quarter,” re- 
turned the Pilot ; u I rank only an humble fol- 
lower of the friends of America ; and having led 


442 


THE PILOT. 


these gentlemen into danger, I have thought it my 
duty to see them extricated. They are now safe ; 
and the right to command all that hear me, rests 
with Mr. Griffith, who is commissioned by the 
Continental Congress for such service.” 

When he had spoken he fell back from the po- 
sition he occupied, in the centre of the room, to 
one of its sides, where, leaning his body against 
the wainscot, he stood a silent observer of what 
followed — 

u It appears, then, that it is to you, degenerate 
son of a most worthy father, that I must repeat my 
demand,” continued the veteran. “ By what right 
is my dwelling thus rudely assailed ? and why is 
my quiet, and the peace of those I protect, so dar- 
ingly violated ?” 

a I might answer you, Col. Howard, by saying 
that it is according to the law 7 s of arms, or rather 
in retaliation for the thousand evils that your Eng- 
lish troops have inflicted, between Maine and 
Georgia ; but I wish not to increase the unplea- 
sant character of this scene, and will tell you, that 
our advantage shall be used with moderation. 
The instant that our men can be collected, and 
our prisoners properly secured, your dwelling shall 
be restored to your authority. We are no free- 
booters, sir, and you will find it so after our de- 
parture. Captain Manual, draw off your guard 
into the grounds, and make your dispositions for a 
return march to our boats — let the boarders fall 
back, there ! out with ye ! out with ye — tumble 
out, you boarders !” 

The amicable order of the young lieutenant, 
which w^as delivered after the stern, quick fashion 
of his profession, operated on the cluster of dark 
figures, that were grouped around the door, like a 
charm ; and as the men whom Barnstable had led* 


THE PILOT 


443 


followed their shipmates into the court-yard, the 
room was now left to such only, as might be termed 
the gentlemen of the invading party, and the ia- 
mily of Colonel Howard. 

Barnstable had continued silent since his senior 
officer had assumed the command, listening most 
attentively to each syllable that fell from either 
side ; but now that so few remained, and the time 
pressed, he spoke again — 

u If we are to take boat so soon, Mr. Griffith, it 
would be seemly that due preparations should be 
made to receive the ladies, who are to honour us 
with their presence ; shall I take that duty on my- 
self ? 55 

The abrupt proposal produced a universal sur- 
prise in his hearers ; though the abashed and con- 
scious expression of Katherine Plowden’s features 
sufficiently indicated, that to her, at least, it was 
not altogether unexpected. The long silence that 
succeeded the question was interrupted by Colo- 
nel Howard. 

“ Ye are masters, gentlemen ; help yourselves 
to whatever best suits your inclinations. My 
dwelling, my goods, and my wards, are alike at 
your disposal — or, perhaps Miss Alice, here, good 
and kind Miss Alice Dunscombe, may suit the taste 
of some among ye ! Ah ! Edward Griffith ! Ed- 
ward Griffith ! little did I ever — 55 

“ Breathe not that name in levity again, thou 
scoffer, or even your years may prove a feeble pro- 
tection ! 55 said a stern, startling voice from behind. 
All eyes turned involuntarily at the unexpected 
sounds, and the muscular form of the Pilot was 
seen resuming its attitude of repose against the 
wall, though every fibre of his frame was working 
with suppressed passion. 

When the astonished looks of Griffith ceased to 


4 44 


THE PILOT. 


dwell on this extraordinary exhibition of mteiesi 
in his companion, they were turned imploringly 
towards the fair cousins, who still occupied the dis- 
tant corner, whither fear had impelled them. 

“ I have said, that we are not midnight marau- 
ders, Colonel Howard , 55 he replied : “ but if any 
there be here, who will deign to commit them- 
selves to our keeping, I trust it will not be neces- 
sary to say, at this hour, v/hat will be their recep- 
tion . 55 

“ We have not time for unnecessary compli- 
ments , 55 cried the impatient Barnstable ; “ here is 
Merry, who, by years and blood, is a suitable as- 
sistant for them, in arranging their little baggage — * 
what say you, urchin, can you play the lady’s maid 
on emergency ? 55 

u Ay, sir, and better than I acted the pedler- 
boy , 55 cried the gay youngster ; u to have my mer- 
ry cousin Kate and my good cousin Cicily for 
shipmates I could play our common grandmother ! 
Come, coz, let us be moving ; you will have to al- 
low a Kttle lee-way in time, for my awkward^* 
ness . 55 

“ Stand back, young man , 55 said Miss Howard, 
repulsing his familiar attempt to take her arm ; 
and then advancing, with a maidenly dignity, nigh- 
er to her guardian, she continued, u I cannot know 
what stipulations have been made by my cousin 
Plowden, in the secret treaty she has made this 
night with Mr. Barnstable ; this for myself, Colo- 
nel Howard, I would have you credit your bro- 
ther’s child when she says, that, to her, the events 
of the hour have not been more unexpected than 
to yourself . 55 

The veteran gazed at her, for a moment, with 
an expression of his eye that denoted reviving ten- 
derness ; but gloomy doubts appeared to cross his 


THE PILOT. 


445 


annd again, and he shook his head, as he walked 
proudly away. 

u Nay, then,” added Cecilia, her head dropping 
meekly on her bosom, u I may be discredited by 
my uncle, but I cannot be disgraced without some 
act of my own.” 

She slowly raised her mild countenance again, 
and bending her eyes on her lover, she continued, 
while a rich rush of blood passed over her fine 
features — 

u Edward Griffith, I will not, I cannot say how 
humiliating it is to think that you can, for an in- 
stant, believe I would again forget myself so much 
as to wish to desert him whom God has given me 
for a protector, for one chosen by my own erring 
passions. And you, Andrew Merry ! learn to re- 
spect the child of your mother’s sister, if not for 
her own sake, at least for that of her who watched 
your cradle !” 

“ Here appears to be some mistake,” said Barn- 
stable, who participated, however, in no trifling 
degree, in the embarrassment of the abashed boy ; 
“ but, like all other mistakes on such subjects, it 
can be explained away, I suppose. Mr. Griffith, 
it remains for you to speak : — damn it, man,” he 
whispered, u you are as dumb as a cod-fish — I am 
sure so fine a woman is worth a little fair weather 
talk : — you are muter than a four-footed beast- 
even an ass can bray f ” 

u We will hasten our departure, Mr. Barnsta- 
ble,” said Griffith, sighing heavily, and rousing 
himself, as if from a trance. “ These rude sights 
cannot but appal the ladies. You will please, sir, 
to direct the order of our march to the shore. 
Captain Manual has charge of our prisoners, who 
must all be secured, to answer for an equal num- 
ber of our own countrymen.” 

38 


446 


THE PILOT. 


u And our countrywomen !” said Barnstable- 
u are they to be forgotten, in the selfish recollec- 
tion of our own security ?” 

“ With them we have no right to interfere, un- 
less at their request.” 

u By Heaven ! Mr. Griffith, this may smack of 
learning,” cried the other, “ and it may plead book- 
ish authority as its precedent; but let me tell you, 
sir, it savours but a little of sailor’s love.” 

u Is it unworthy of a seaman, and a gentleman, 
to permit the woman he calls his mistress to be so, 
other than in name ?” 

a Well, then, Griff, I pity you, from my soul. 
I would rather have had a sharp struggle for the 
happiness that I shall now obtain so easily, than that 
you should be thus cruelly disappointed. But you 
cannot blame me, my friend, that I avail myself ot 
fortune’s favour. Miss Plowden, your fair hand. 
Colonel Howard, I return you a thousand thanks 
for the care you have taken, hitherto, of this pre- 
cious charge ; and believe me, sir, that I speak 
frankly, when I say, that next to myself, I should 
choose to intrust her with you in preference to any 
man on earth.” 

The Colonel turned to the speaker, and bowed 
low, while he answered with grave courtesy — 
a Sir, you repay my slight services with too 
much gratitude. If Miss Katherine Plowden has 
not become under my guardianship all that her 
good father, Captain John Plowden, of the Poyal 
Navy, could have wished a daughter of his to be, 
the fault, unquestionably, is to be attributed to my 
inability to instruct, and to no inherent quality in 
the young lady herself. I will not say, take her, 
sir, since you have her in your possession already, 
and it would be out of my power to alter the ar- 
rangement ; therefore, I can only wish that you 


THE PILOT. 


447 


may find her as dutiful, as a wife, as she has been, 
hitherto, as award and a subject.” 

Katherine had yielded her hand, passively, to 
her lover, and suffered him to lead her more into 
the circle than she had before been ; but now she 
threw off his arm, and shaking aside the dark curls 
which she had rather invited to fall in disorder 
around her brow, she raised her face and looked 
proudly up, with an eye that sparkled with the 
spirit of its mistress, and a face that grew pale with 
emotion at each moment, as she proceeded — 

“ Gentlemen, the one may be as ready to re- 
ceive as the other is to reject ; but has the daugh- 
ter of John Plowden no voice in this cool disposal 
of her person ? If her guardian tires of her pre- 
sence, other habitations may be found, without in- 
flicting so severe a penalty on this gentleman, as 
to compel him to provide for her accommodation 
in a vessel which must be already straitened for 
room !” 

She turned, and rejoined her cousin with such 
an air of maidenly resentment, as a young woman 
would be apt to discover, who found herself the 
subject of matrimonial arrangement, without her 
own feelings being at all consulted. Barnstable, 
who knew but little of the windings of the female 
heart, or how necessary to his mistress, notwith- 
standing her previous declarations, the counte- 
nance of Cecilia was, to any decided and open act 
in his favour, stood in stupid wonder at her decla- 
ration. He could not conceive that a woman who 
had already ventured so much in secret in his be- 
half, and who had so often avowed her weakness, 
should shrink to declare it again, at such a crisis, 
though the eyes of a universe were on her ! He 
looked from one of the party to the other, and met 
in every face an expression of delicate reserve, ex- 


448 


THE PILOT. 


cept in those of the guardian of his mistress, and 
of Borroughcliffe. 

The Colonel had given a glance of returning 
favour at her, whom, he now conceived, to be his 
repentant ward, while the countenance of the en- 
trapped Captain exhibited a look of droll surprise, 
blended with the expression of bitter ferocity it 
had manifested since the discovery of his own 
mishap. 

“ Perhaps, sir,” said Barnstable, addressing the 
latter, fiercely, “ you see something amusing about 
the person of this lady, to divert you thus unsea- 
sonably. We tolerate no such treatment of oui 
women in America !” 

u Nor do we quarrel before ours in England,” 
returned the soldier, throwing back the fierce 
glance of the sailor w T ith interest ; 66 but I was 
thinking of the revolutions that time can produce ! 
nothing more I do assure you. It is not half an 
hour since I thought myself a most happy fellow ; 
secure in my plans for overreaching the scheme 
you had laid to surprise me ; and now I am as mi- 
serable a dog as wears a single epaulette, and has 
no hope of seeing its fellow !” 

“ And in what manner, sir, can this sudden 
change apply to me ?” asked Katherine, with all 
her spirit. 

“ Certainly not to your perseverance in the pro- 
ject to assist my enemies, madam,” returned the 
soldier with affected humility ; “ nor to your zeal 
for their success, or your consummate coolness at 
the supper table ! But I find it is time that I 
should be superannuated — I can no longer serve 
my king with credit, and should take to serving 
my God, like all other worn-out men of the world ! 
My hearing is surely defective, or a paddock wall 
has a most magical effect in determining sounds !' 


THE PILOT. 


449 


Katherine waited not to hear the close of this 
sentence, but walked to a distant part of the 
room, to conceal the burning blushes that covered 
her countenance. The manner in which the plans 
of Borroughcliffe had become known to his foe, was 
no longer a mystery. Her conscience also re- 
proached her a little, with some unnecessary co- 
quetry as she remembered, that quite one half of 
the dialogue between her lover and herself, under 
the shadow of that very wall to which Borrough- 
cliffe alluded, had been on a subject altogether fo- 
reign to contention and tumults. As the feelings 
of Barnstable were by no means so sensitive as 
those of his mistress, and his thoughts much occu- 
pied with the means of attaining his object, he did 
not so readily comprehend the indirect allusion of 
the soldier, but turned abruptly away to Griffith, 
and observed, with a serious air — 

“ I feel it my duty, Mr. Griffith, to suggest, 
that we have standing instructions to secure all the 
enemies of America, wherever they may be found, 
and to remind you, that the States have not hesi- 
tated to make prisoners of females, in many in- 
stances.” 

u Bravo !” cried Borroughcliffe ; u if the ladies 
will not go as your mistresses, take them as your 
captives !” 

“ J Tis well for you, sir, that you are a captive 
yourself, or you should be made to answer for this 
speech,” retorted the irritated Barnstable. “ It is 
a responsible command, Mr. Griffith, and must not 
be disregarded.” 

“ To your duty, Mr. Barnstable,” said Griffith, 
again arousing from deep abstraction , “ you have 
your orders, sir ; let them be executed promptly.” 
u I have also the orders of our common supe- 
rior, Capt. Munson, Mr. Griffith ; and I do assure 

38 * 


450 


THE PILOT. 


vou, sir, that in making out my instructions for the 
Ariel — poor thing ! there are no two of her tim- 
bers hanging together — but my instructions were 
decidedly particular on that head.” 

“ And my orders now supersede them.” 
u But am I justifiable in obeying a verbal order 
from an inferior, in direct opposition to a written 
instruction ?” 

Griffith had hitherto manifested in his deport- 
ment nothing more than a cold determination to 
act, but the blood now flew to every vessel in his 
cheeks and forehead, and his dark eyes flashed 
fire, as he cried authoritatively — 

u How, sir ! do you hesitate to obey ?” 

“ By heaven, sir, I would dispute the command 
of the Continental Congress itself, should they bid 
me so far to forget my duty to — to — ” 

u Add yourself, sir ! — Mr. Barnstable, let this be 
the last of it. To your duty, sir.” 

u My duty calls me here, Mr. Griffith.” 

“ I must act, then, or be bearded by my own 
officers. Mr. Merry, direct Captain Manual to 
send in a serjeant and a file of marines.” 

u Bid him come on himself!” cried Barnstable, 
maddened to desperation by his disappointment ; 
u ’tis not his whole corps that can disarm me — let 
them come on ! Hear, there, you Ariels ! rally 
around your captain.” 

“ The man among them who dares to cross that 
threshold without my order, dies,” cried Griffith, 
menacing with a naked hanger the seamen who 
had promptly advanced at the call of their old com- 
mander. u Yield your sword, Mr. Barnstable, and 
spare yourself the disgrace of having it forced from 
you by a common soldier.” 

“ Let me see the dog who dare attempt it !” 
exclaimed Barnstable, flourishing his weapon in 


THE PILOT. 


451 


tierce anger. Griffith had extended his own arm, 
in the earnestness of his feelings, and their hangers 
crossed each other. The clashing of the steel 
operated on both like the sound of the clarion on a 
war-horse, and there were sudden and rapid blows, 
and as rapid parries, exchanged between the flash- 
ing weapons. 

“ Barnstable I Barnstable !” cried Katherine, 
rushing into his arms, u I will go with you to the 
ends of the earth !” 

Cecilia Howard did not speak ; but when Grif- 
fith recovered his coolness, he beheld her beauti- 
ful form kneeling at his feet, with her pale face 
bent imploringly on his own disturbed countenance. 
The cry of Miss Plowden had separated the com- 
batants, before an opportunity for shedding blood 
had been afforded ; but the young men exchanged 
looks of keen resentment, notwithstanding the 
interference of their mistresses. At this moment 
Col. Howard advanced, and raising his niece from 
her humble posture, said — 

u This is not a situation for a child of Harry 
Howard, though he knelt in the presence, and be- 
fore the throne of her Sovereign. Behold, my 
dear Cecilia, the natural consequences of this re- 
bellion ! It scatters discord in their ranks ; and, 
by its damnable levelling principles, destroys all 
distinction of rank among themselves ; even these 
rash boys know not where obedience is due !” 

“ It is due to me,” said the Pilot, who now 
stepped forward among the agitated group, “ and 
it is time that I enforce it. Mr. Griffith, sheath 
your sword. And you, sir, who have defied the 
authority of your senior officer, and have forgot- 
ten the obligation of your oath, submit, and return 
to your duty.” 

Griffith started at the sounds of his calm voice 

i 


452 


THE PILOT. 


as if with sudden recollection ; and then bowing 
low, he returned the weapon to its scabbard . But 
Barnstable still encircled the waist of his mistress 
with one arm, while with the other he brandished 
his hanger, and laughed with scorn at this extraor- 
dinary assumption of authority. 

u And who is this !” he cried, “ who dare give 
such an order to me !” 

The eyes of the Pilot flashed with a terrible fire, 
while a fierce glow r seemed to be creeping over his 
w r hole frame, which actually quivered with pas- 
sion. But, suppressing this exhibition of his feel- 
ings, by a sudden and powerful effort, he answered, 
in an emphatic manner — 

a One who has a right to order, and who will be 
obeyed !” 

The extraordinary manner of the speaker con- 
tributed as much as his singular assertion to in- 
duce Barnstable, in his surprise, to lower the point 
of his weapon, with an air that might easily have 
been mistaken for submission. The Pilot fastened 
his glowing eyes on him, for an instant, and then 
turning to the rest of the listeners, he continued, 
more mildly — 

“ It is true that we came not here as marauders, 
and that our wish is, to do no unnecessary acts of 
severity to the aged and the helpless. But this 
officer of the Crown, and this truant American in 
particular, are fairly our prisoner's ; as such, they 
must be conducted on board our ship.” 

“ But the main object of our expedition ?” said 
Griffith. 

“ ’Tis lost,” returned the Pilot, hastily — u ’tis 
sacrificed to more private feelings ; ’tis like a hun- 
dred others, ended in disappointment, and is for- 
gotten, sir, for ever. But the interests of the Re- 
publics must not be neglected, Mr. Griffith. — 


THE PILOT. 


453 


Though we are not madly to endanger the lives 
of those gallant fellows, to gain a love-smile from 
one young beauty, neither are we to forget the 
advantages they may have obtained for us, in or- 
der to procure one of approbation from another. 
This Colonel Howard will answer well in a bar- 
gain with the minions of the Crown, and may pur- 
chase the freedom of some worthy patriot who is 
deserving of his liberty. Nay, nay, suppress that 
haughty look, and turn that proud eye on any, ra- 
ther than me ! he goes to the frigate, sir, and that 
immediately.” 

u Then,” said Cecilia Howard, timidly approach- 
ing the spot where her uncle stood, a disdainful 
witness of the dissensions amongst his captors ; 
“ then, will I go with him ! He shall never be a 
resident among his enemies alone !” 

“ It would be more ingenuous, and more wor- 
thy of my brother’s daughter,” said her uncle, 
coldly, u if she asc/ibed her willingness to depart 
to its proper motive.” Disregarding the look of 
deep distress with which Cecilia received this 
mortifying rejection of her tender attention, the 
old man walked towards Borroughcliffe, who was 
gnawing the hilt of his sword, in very vexation at 
the downfall of his high-raised hopes, and placing 
himself by his side, with an air of infinitely digni- 
fied submission, he continued, u act your pleasure 
on us, gentlemen : you are the conquerors, and 
we must even submit. A brave man knows as 
well how to yield with decorum, as to defend him- 
self stoutly, when he is not surprised, as we have 
been. But if an opportunity should ever offer ! — • 
Act your pleasures, gentlemen ; no two lambs 
were ever half so meek as Captain Borroughcliffe 
and myself.” 

The smile of affected, but bitter resignation, that 


454 


THE PILOT. 


the colonel bestowed on his fellow-prisoner, was 
returned by that officer with an attempt at risibi- 
lity that abundantly betokened the disturbed state 
of his feelings. The two, however, succeeded in 
so far maintaining appearances, as to contemplate 
the succeeding movements of the conquerors with 
a sufficient degree of compostue. 

The colonel steadily and coldly rejected the ad- 
vances of his niece, who bowed meekly to his will, 
and relinquished, for the present, the hope of 
bringing him to a sense of his injustice. She, 
however, employed herself in earnest, to give such 
directions as were necessary to enforce the reso- 
lution she had avowed, and in this unexpected 
employment she found both a ready and a willing 
assistant in her cousin. The latter, unknown to 
Miss Howard, had, in anticipation of some such 
event as the present, long since made, in secret, 
all those preparations which might become neces- 
sary to a sudden flight from the Abbey. In con- 
junction with her lover then, who, perceiving that 
the plan of the Pilot was furthering his own views, 
deemed it most wdse to forget his quarrel with that 
mysterious individual, she flew to point out the 
means of securing those articles which were al- 
ready in preparation. Barnstable and Merry ac- 
companied her light steps among the narrow, dark 
passages of the Abbey, with the utmost delight ; 
the former repeatedly apostrophizing her wit and 
beauty, and, indeed, all of her various merits, and 
the latter, laughing, and indulging those buoyant 
spirits, that a boy of his years and reflection might 
be supposed to feel, in such a horrid scene. It 
was fortunate for her cousin, that Katherine had 
possessed so much forethought, for the attention 
of Cecilia How 7 ard was directed much more to the 
comforts of her uncle, than to those which were 


THE PILOT. 


455 


necessary for herself. Attended by Alice Duns- 
combe, the young mistress of St. Ruth moved 
through the solitary apartments of the building, 
listening to the mild, religious consolation of her 
companion, in silence, at times yielding to those 
bursts of mortified feeling, that she could not re- 
press, or again as calmly giving her orders to her 
maids, as if the intended movement was one of but 
ordinary interest. All this time the party in the 
dining hall remained stationary. The Pilot, as if 
satisfied with what he had already done, sunk back 
to his reclining attitude against the wall, though 
his eyes keenly watched every movement of 
the preparations, in a manner which denoted that 
his was the master spirit that directed the whole. 
Griffith had, however, resumed, in appearance, the 
command, and the busy seamen addressed them- 
selves for orders to him alone. In this manner an 
hour was consumed, when Cecilia and Katherine 
appearing in succession attired in a suitable man* 
ner for their departure, and the baggage of the 
whole party having been already entrusted to a 
petty officer and a party of his men, Griffith gave 
forth the customary order to put the whole in mo- 
tion. The shrill, piercing whistle of the boatswain 
once more rung among the galleries and ceilings 
of the Abbey, and was followed by the deep, 
hoarse cry of — 

u Away, there ! you shore-draft ! away, there, 
you boarders ! ahead, heave ahead, sea-dogs 

This extraordinary summons was succeeded by 
the roll of a drum, and the strains of a fife, from 
without, when the whole party moved from the 
building in the order that had been previously 
prescribed by Captain Manual, who acted as the 
marshal of the forces on the occasion. 

The Pilot had conducted his surprise with so 


456 


THE PILOT. 


much skill and secrecy as to have secured every 
individual about the Abbey, whether male or fe- 
male, soldier or civilian ; and as it might be dan- 
gerous to leave any behind who could convey in- 
telligence into the country, Griffith had ordered 
that every human being, found in the building, 
should be conducted to the cliffs ; to be held in du- 
rance, at least, until the departure of the last boat 
to the cutter, which, he was informed, lay close in 
to the land, aw T aiting their re-embarcation. The 
hurry of the departure had caused many lights to 
be kindled in the Abbey, and the contrast between 
the glare within, and the gloom without, attracted 
the wandering looks of the captives, as they is- 
sued into the paddock. One of those indefinable, 
and unaccountable feelings, which so often cross 
the human mind, induced Cecilia to pause at the 
great gate of the grounds, and look back at the 
Abbey, with a presentiment, that she was to be- 
hold it for the last time. The dark and ragged 
outline of the edifice was clearly delineated against 
the northern sky, while the open windows, and 
neglected doors, permitted a view of the solitude 
within. Twenty tapers were shedding their use- 
less light in the empty apartments, as if in mock- 
ery of the deserted walls, and Cecilia turned, 
shuddering, from the sight, to press nigher to the 
person of her indignant uncle, with a secret im- 
pression that her presence would soon be more ne- 
cessary than ever to his happiness. 

The low hum of voices in front, with the occa- 
sional strains of the fife, and the stern mandates of 
the sea-officers, soon recalled her, however, from 
these, visionary thoughts to the surrounding reali- 
ties, while the whole party pursued their way with 
diligence to the margin of the ocean. 


CHAPTER XXIX . 


A chieftain to the Highlands bound, 

Cries ‘ Boatman, do not tarry ! 

And I’ll give thee a silver pound, 

To row us o’er the ferry.’ 

Lord UllirCs Daug/ita 


The sky had been without a cloud during the 
day, the gale having been dry and piercing, and 
thousands of stars were now shining through a 
chill atmosphere. As the eye, therefore, became 
accustomed to the change of light, it obtained a 
more distinct view of surrounding objects. At 
the head of the line, that was stretched along the 
narrow pathway, marched a platoon of the marines, 
who maintained the regular and steady front of 
trained warriors. They were followed, at some 
little distance, by a large and confused body of sea- 
men, heavily armed, whose disposition to disor 
der and rude merriment, which became more vio 
lent from their treading on solid ground, was with 
difficulty restrained by the presence and severe 
rebukes of their own officers. In the centre of 
this confused mass, the whole of the common pri- 
soners were placed, hut were no otherwise at- 
tended to by their nautical guard, than as they fur- 
nished the subjects of fun and numberless quaint 
jokes. At some distance in their rear, marched 
Col Howard and Borrous;hclifFe, arm m arm, 

39 


458 


THE PILOT. 


both maintaining the most rigid and dignified si- 
lence, though under the influence of very bittei 
feelings. Behind these again, and pressing as nigh 
as possible to her uncle, was Miss Howard, lean- 
ing on the arm of Alice Dunscombe, and surround- 
ed by the female domestics of the establishment 
of St. Ruth. Katherine Plowden moved lightly 
by herself, in the shadow of this group, with elas- 
tic steps, but with a maiden coyness, that taught 
her to veil her satisfaction with the semblance of 
captivity. Barnstable watched her movements 
with delight, within six feet of her, but submitted 
to the air of caprice in his mistress, which seemed 
to require that he should approach no nearer 
Griffith, avoiding the direct line of the party, walk- 
ed on its skirts in such a situation that his eye 
could command its whole extent, in order, if ne- 
cessary, to direct the movements. Another body 
of the marines marched at the close of the proces- 
sion, and Manual, in person, brought up the rear 
The music had ceased by command, and nothing 
was now audible, but the regular tread of the sob 
diers, with the sighs of the dying gale, interrupted 
occasionally by the voice of an officer, or the hum 
of low dialogue. 

u This has been a Scotch prize that we’ve ta 
ken,” muttered a surly old seaman ; u a ship with- 
out head-money or cargo ! There was kitchen 
timber enough in the old jug of a place, to have 
given an outfit in crockery and knee-buckles to 
every lad in the ship ; but, no ! let a man’s mouth 
water ever so much for food and raiment, damme, 
if the officers would give him leave to steal even 
so good a thing as a spare Bible.” 

u You may say all that, and then make but a 
short yarn of the truth,” returned the messmate, 
who walked by his side ; “ if there had been such 


THE PILOT. 


459 


a thing as a ready made prayer handy, they would 
have choused a poor fellow out of the use of it. — 
I say, Ben, I’ll tell ye what ; it’s my opinion, that 
if a chap is to turn soldier, and carry a musket, he 
should have soldiers’ play, and leave to plunder a 
little — now the devil a thing have I laid my hands 
on to-night, except this firelock, and my cutlash — 
unles vou can call this bit of a table-cloth some- 
thing of a windfall.” 

“ A J 1 you have fallen in there with a fresh bolt 
of duck, I see !” said the other, in manifest admi- 
ration of the texture of his companion’s prize — 
“ why, it would spread as broad a clue as our mi- 
zen-royal, if it was loosened ! well, your luck 
hasn’t been every man’s luck — for my part, I think 
this here hat was made for some fellow’s great 
toe : I’ve rigged it on my head both fore-and-aft, 
and athwart ships ; but curse the inch can I drive 
it down — 1 say, Sam ! you’ll give us a shirt off that 
table-cloth ?” 

u Ay, ay, you can have one corner of it ; or for 
that matter, ye can take the full half, Nick ; but I 
don’t see that we go off to the ship any richer than 
we landed, unless you may muster she-cattle 
among your prize-money.” 

u No richer !” interrupted a waggish young 
sailor, who had been hitherto a silent listener to 
the conversation between his older and more cal- 
culating shipmates ; “ I think we are set up for a 
cruise in them seas where the day watches last six 
months ; don’t you see we have caught a double 
allowance of midnight !” 

While speaking, he laid his hands on the bare 
and woolly heads of Colonel Howard’s two black 
slaves, who were moving near him, both occupied 
in mournful forebodings on the results that were tc 
flow from this unexpected loss of their liberty.” 


460 


THE PILOT. 


u Slue your faces this way, gentlemen,” he add' 
ed ; 44 there ; don’t you think that a sight to put 
out the binnacle lamps ? there’s darkness visible 
for ye !” 

“ Let the niggars alone,” grumbled one of the 
more aged speakers ; “ what are ye sky-larking 
with the like of them for ? the next thing they’ll 
sing out, and then you’ll hear one of the officers 
in your wake. For my part, Nick, I can’t see 
why it is that we keep dodging along shore here, 
with less than ten fathoms under us, when, by 
stretching into the broad Atlantic, we might fall in 
with a Jamaica-man every day or two, and have 
sugar hogsheads, and rum puncheons as plenty 
aboard us as hard fare is now.” 

44 It is all owing to that Pilot,” returned the 
other ; 44 for d’ve see, if there was no bottom, there 
would be no Pilots. This is a dangerous cruising 
ground, where we stretch into five fathoms, and 
then drop our lead on a sand-spit, or a rock ! Be- 
sides, they make night-work of it too ! If we had 
daylight for fourteen hours instead of seven, a man 
might trust to feeling his way for the other ten.” 

44 Now, a’n’t ye a couple of old horse marines !” 
again interrupted the young sailor ; 44 don’t you 
see that Congress wants us to cut up Johnny Bull’s 
coasters, and that old Blow-Hard has found the 
days too short for his business, and so he has land- 
ed a party to get hold of night. Here we have 
him 1 and when we get off to the ship, we shall 
put him under hatches, and then you’ll see the 
face of the sun again ! Come, my lilies ! let these 
two gentlemen look into your cabin window’s — 
what ? you won’t ! Then I must squeeze your 
woollen night-caps for ye !” 

The negroes, w r ho had been submitting to his 
humours with the abject humility of slavery, now 


THE PILOT. 


40 1 


gave certain low intimations that they were suffer- 
ing pain, under the rough manipulation of their 
tormentor. 

u What’s that !” cried a stem voice, whose 
boyish tones seemed to mock the air of authority 
that was assumed by the speaker — “ who’s that, 1 
say, raising that cry among ye ?” 

The wilful young man slowly removed his two 
hands from the woolly polls of the slaves, but as he 
suffered them to fall reluctantly along their sable 
temples, he gave the ear of one of the blacks a 
tweak that caused him to give vent to another cry, 
that was uttered with a much greater confidence 
of sympathy than before. 

u Do ye hear, there i” repeated Merry — cc who’s 
sky-larking with those negroes ?” 

u ’Tis no one, sir,” the sailor answered with af- 
fected gravity ; “ one of the pale faces has hit his 
shin against a cob-web, and it has made his ear 
ache !” 

u Harkye, you Mr. Jack Joker ! how came you 
in the midst of the prisoners ? did not I order you 
to handle your pike, sir, and to keep in the outer 
line ?” 

u Ay, ay, sir, you did ; and I obeyed orders as 
long as I could ; but these niggars have made the 
night so dark, that I lost my way !” 

A low laugh passed through the confused crowd 
of seamen, and even the midshipman might have 
been indulging himself in a similar manner at this 
specimen of quaint humour from the fellow, who 
was one of those licensed men that are to be found 
in every ship. At length — 

u Well, sir,” he said, u you have found out your 
false reckoning now ; so get you back to the place 
where I bid you stay.” 

“ Ay, ay, sir, I’m going. By all the blunders 

30 * 


462 


THE PILOT. 


in the purser’s book, Mr. Merry, but that cobweb 
has made one of these niggars shed tears ! Do 
let me stay to catch a little ink, sir, to write a 
letter with to my poor old mother — devil the line 
has she had from me since we sailed from the 
Chesapeake !” 

a If ye don’t mind me at once, Mr. Jack Joker, 
I’ll lay my cutlass over your head,” returned Mer- 
ry, his voice now betraying a much greater sym- 
pathy in the sufferings of that abject race, who are 
still in some measure, but who formerly were much 
more, the butts of the unthinking and licentious 
among our low countrymen ; “ then ye can write 
your letter in red ink if ye will !” 

“ I wouldn’t do it for the world,” said Joker, 
sneaking away, towards his proper station — u the 
old lady wouldn’t forget the hand, and swear it was 
a forgery — I wonder, though, if the breakers on 
the coast of Guinea be black ! as I’ve heard old 
seamen say who have cruised in them latitudes.” 

His idle levity was suddenly interrupted by a 
voice that spoke above the low hum of the march, 
with an air of authority, and a severity of tone, that 
could always quell, by a single word, the most vi- 
olent ebullition of merriment in the crew. 

' The low buzzing sounds of “ Ay, there goes Mr. 
Griffith !” and of u Jack has woke up the first 
lieutenant, he had better now go to sleep himself ;” 
were heard passing among the men. But these 
suppressed communications soon ceased, and even 
Jack Joker himself pursued his way with dili- 
gence, on the skirts of the party, as mutely as if 
the power of speech did not belong to his organi- 
zation 

The reader has too often accompanied us ovei 
the ground between the Abbey and the ocean, to 
require any description of the route pursued by 


Tin; pilot. 


463 


the seamen during the preceding characteristic 
dialogue ; and we shall at once pass to the inci- 
dents which occurred on the arrival of the party 
at the cliffs. As the man who had so unexpect- 
edly assumed a momentary authority within St. 
Ruth had unaccountably disappeared from among 
them, Griffith continued to exercise the right of 
command, without referring to any other for con- 
sultation. He never addressed himself to Barn- 
stable, and it was apparent that both the haughty 
young men felt that the tie which had hitherto 
united them in such close intimacy, was, for the 
present at least, entirely severed. Indeed, Grif- 
fith was only restrained by the presence of Ce- 
cilia and Katherine, from arresting his refractory 
inferior on the spot ; and Barnstable, who felt all 
the consciousness of error, without its proper hu- 
mility, with difficulty so far repressed his feelings, 
as to forbear exhibiting in the presence of his mis- 
tress, such a manifestation of his spirit as his 
wounded vanity induced him to imagine was ne- 
cessary to his honour. The tw r o, however, acted 
in harmony on one subject, though it was without 
concert or communication. The first object with 
both the young men was to secure the embarka- 
tion of the fair cousins ; and Barnstable proceeded 
instantly to the boats, in order to hasten the pre- 
parations that were necessary before they could 
receive these unexpected captives : the descent 
of the Pilot having been made in such force as to 
require the use of all the frigate’s boats, which 
were left riding in the outer edge of the surf, 
awaiting the return of the expedition. A loud call 
from Barnstable gave notice to the officer in com- 
mand, and in a few moments the beach was crowd- 
ed w r ith the busy and active crews of the c cutters,’ 
£ launches,’ 4 barges,’ 4 jolly-boats,’ 4 pinnaces,’ oj 


/ 


464 


THE PILOT. 


by whatever names the custom of the times at- 
tached to the different attendants of vessels of war 
Had the fears of the ladies themselves been con- 
sulted, the frigate’s launch would have been se- 
lected for their use, on account of its size ; but 
Barnstable, who would have thought such a choice 
on his part humiliating to his guests, ordered the 
long, low barge of Captain Munson to be drawn 
upon the sand, it being peculiarly the boat of ho- 
nour. The hands of fifty men were applied to the 
task, and it was soon announced to Colonel How- 
ard and his wards, that the little vessel was ready 
for their reception. Manual had halted on the 
summit of the cliffs with the whole body of the 
marines, where he was busily employed in posting 
pickets and sentinels, and giving the necessary in- 
structions to his men to cover the embarkation of 
the seamen, in a style that he conceived to be alto- 
gether military. The mass of the common prison- 
ers, including the inferior domestics of the Abbey, 
and the men of Borroughcliffe, were also held in 
the same place, under a suitable guard ; but Colo- 
nel Howard and his companion, attended by the 
ladies and their own maids, had descended the 
rugged path to the beach, and were standing pas- 
sively on the sands, when the intelligence that the 
boat waited for them was announced. 

“ Where is he ?” asked Alice Dunscombe, turn- 
ing her head, as if anxiously searching for some 
other than those around her. 

u Where is who ?” inquired Barnstable ; u we 
are all here, and the boat waits.” 

“ And will he tear me — even me, from the home 
of my infancy ! the land of my birth and my af- 
fections !” 

“ I know not of whom you speak, madam, but 


THE PILOT. 


465 


if it be of Mr Griffith, he stands there, just with- 
out that cluster of seamen.” 

Griffith, hearing himself thus named, approached 
.he ladies, and, for the first time since leaving the 
Abbey, addressed them : — “ I hope I am already 
understood,” he said, “ and that it is unnecessary 
for me to say, that no female here is a prisoner ; 
though should any choose to trust themselves on 
board our ship, I pledge to them the honour of an 
officer, that they shall find themselves protected, 
and safe.” 

“ Then will I not go,” said Alice. 

“ It is not expected of you,” said Cecilia ; 
%c you have no ties to bind you to any here.” — 
(The eyes of Alice w T ere still wandering over the 
listeners.) u Go, then, Miss Alice, and be the 
mistress of St. Ruth, until my return ; or,” she 
added, timidly, “ until Colonel Howrnrd may de- 
clare his pleasure.” 

“ I obey you, dear child ; but the agent of Co- 
lonel Howard, at B , will undoubtedly be au- 

thorized to take charge of his effects.” 

While no one but his niece alluded to his will, 
the master of the Abbey had found, in his resent- 
ment, a sufficient apology for his rigid demeanour ; 
but he was far too w 7 ell bred to bear, in silence, 
such a modest appeal to his wishes, from so fair, 
and so loyal a subject as Alice Dunscombe. 

“ To relieve you, madam, and for no other rea- 
son, will I speak on this subject,” he said ; “ other- 
wise, I should leave the doors and windows of St. 
Ruth open, as a melancholy monument of rebel- 
lion, and seek my future compensation from the 
Crow r n, wdien the confiscated estates of the lead- 
ers of this accursed innovation on the rights of 
princes shall come to the hammer But yoir 


466 


THE PILOT. 


Miss Alice, are entitled to every consideration 
that a lady can expect from a gentleman. Be 
pleased, therefore, to write to my agent, and re- 
quest him to seal up my papers, and transmit them 
to the office of his Majesty’s Secretary of State. 
They breathe no treason, madam, and are entitled 
to official protection. The house, and most of the 
furniture, as you know, are the property of my 
landlord, w T ho, in due time, will doubtless take 
charge of his own interest. I kiss your hand, Miss 
Alice, and I hope we shall yet meet at St. James’s 
— depend on it, madam, that the Royal Charlotte 
shall yet honour your merits ; 1 know she cannot 
but estimate your loyalty.” 

cc Here I was born, in humble obscurity — here 
1 have lived, and here I hope to die in quiet,” re- 
turned the meek Alice ; u if I have known any 
pleasure, in late years, beyond that which every 
Christian can find in our daily duties, it has been, 
my sweet friends, m your accidental society. — 
Such companions, in this remote corner of the 
kingdom, has been a boon too precious to be en- 
joyed without alloy, it seems, and I have now to 
exchange the past pleasure for present pain. Adieu ’ 
my young friends ; let your trust be in Him, to 
whose eyes both prince and peasant, the European 
and the American, are alike, and we shall meet 
again, though it be neither in the island of Britain, 
nor on your own wide continent.” 

“ That,” said Colonel Howard, advancing and 
taking her hand with kindness, “ that is the only 
disloyal sentiment I have ever heard fall from the 
lips of Miss Alice Dunscombe ! Is it to be sup- 
posed that Heaven has established orders among 
men, and that it does not respect the works of its 
own formation ! But adieu ; no doubt if time was 


THE PILOT. 


467 


allowed us for suitable explanations, we should 
find but little or no difference of opinion on this 
subject.” 

Alice did not appear to consider the mattei as 
worthy of further discussion at such a moment, for 
she gently returned the colonel’s leave-taking, and 
then gave her undivided attention to her female 
friends. Cecilia wept bitterly on the shoulder of 
her respected companion, giving vent to her re- 
gret at parting, and her excited feelings, at the 
same moment ; and Katherine pressed to the side 
of Alice, with the kindliness prompted by her 
warm, but truant heart. Their embraces were 
given and received in silence, and each of the 
young ladies moved towards the boat, as she with- 
drew herself from the arms of Miss Dunscombe, 
Col. Howard would not precede his wards, neither 
would he assist them into the barge. That atten- 
tion they received from Barnstable, who, after see- 
ing the ladies and their attendants seated, turned 
to the gentlemen, and observed— 

“ The boat waits.” 

u Well, Miss Alice,” said Borroughcliffe, in bit- 
ter irony, u you are intrusted, by our excellent 
host, with a message to his agent ; will you do a si- 
milar service to me, and write a report to the com- 
mander of the district, and just tell him what a dolt 
— ay, use the plainest terms, and say what an ass, 
one Captain Borroughcliffe has proved himself in 
this affair. You may throw in, by way of episode, 
that he has been playing bo-peep with a rebellious 
young lady from the Colonies, and, like a great 
boy, has had his head broken for his pains ! Come, 
my worthy host, or rather fellow-prisoner, I fol- 
low you, as in duty bound.” 

“ Stay,” cried Griffith ; u Capt. Borroughcliffe 
does not embark in that boat.” 


468 


THE PILOT. 


u Ha ! sii ; am I to be herded with the com- 
mon men ? Forget you that I have the honour to 
bear the commission of his Britannic Majesty, and 
that — ” 

“ I forget nothing that a gentleman is bound to 
remember, Captain Borroughcliffe ; among other 
things, I recollect the liberality of your treatment 
to myself, when a prisoner. The instant the safe- 
ty of my command will justify such a step, not 
only you, but your men, shall be set at liberty.” 
Borroughcliffe started in surprise ; but his feel- 
ings were too much soured by the destruction of 
those visions of glory, in which he had been luxu 
riously indulging for the last day or two, to ad- 
mit of his answering as became a man. He swal- 
lowed his emotions, therefore, by a violent effort, 
and walked along the beach, affecting to whistle a 
low, but lively air. 

“ Well, then,” cried Barnstable — u all our cap- 
tives are seated. The boat waits only for its 
officers !” 

In his turn, Griffith walked away, in haughty si- 
lence, as if disdaining to hold communion with his 
former friend. Barnstable paused a moment, from 
a deference that long habit had created for his su- 
perior officer, and which was not to be shaken off 
by every burst of angry passion ; but perceiving 
that the other had no intention to return, he or- 
dered the seamen to raise the boat from the sand 
and bear it bodily into the water. The command 
was instantly obeyed ; and by the time the young 
lieutenant was in his seat, the barge was floating 
in the still heavy, though no longer dangerous surf, 
and the crew sprang into their places. 

u Bear her off, boys 1” he cried ; “ never mind 
a wet jacket. I’ve seen many a worthy fellow tum- 
bling on this beach in a worse time than this * 


THE PILOT. 


469 


Now you have her head to sea ; give way, my 
souls, give way.” 

The seamen rose simultaneously at their oars, 
and by an united effort obtained the command of 
their boat ; which, after making a few sudden 
ascents and as many heavy pitches in the break- 
ers, gained the smoother seas of the swelling 
ocean, and stemmed the waters in a direction for 
the place where the Alacrity was supposed to be 
in waiting. 


43 


CHAPTER XXX 


His only plot was tms — that much provoked, 

He raised his vengeful arm against his country. 

Thomson . 


Alice Dunscombe remained on the sands, 
watching the dark spot that was soon hid amid the 
waves in the obscurity of night, and listening, 
with melancholy interest, to the regulated sounds 
of the oars, which were audible long after the boat 
had been blended with the gloomy outline of the 
eastern horizon. When all traces of her departed 
friends were to be found only in her own recollec- 
tions, she slowly turned from the sea, and hasten- 
ing to quit the bustling throng that were preparing 
for the embarcation of the rest of the party, she 
ascended the path that conducted her once more 
to the summit of those cliffs, along which she had 
so often roved, gazing at the boundless element 
that washed their base with sensations that might 
have been peculiar to her own situation. 

The soldiers of Borroughcliffe, who were sta- 
tioned at the head of the pass, respectfully made 
way ; nor did any of the sentinels of Manual heed 
her retiring figure, until she approached the rear 
guard of the marines, who were commanded by 
their \igilant captain in person. 


THE PILOT. 


471 


“ Who goes there !” cried Manual, advancing 
without the dusky group of soldiers, as she ap- 
proached them. 

u One who possesses neither the power nor the 
inclination to do ye harm,” answered the solitary 
female ; u ’tis Alice Dunscombe, returning, by per- 
mission of your leader, to the place of her birth.” 
“ Ay,” muttered Manual, “ this is one of Grif- 
fith’s unmilitary exhibitions of his politeness ! does 
the man think that there was ever a woman who 
had no tongue ! Have you the countersign, ma- 
dam, that I may know you bear a sufficient war- 
rant to pass ?” 

“ I have no other warrant besides my sex and 
weakness unless Mr. Griffith’s knowledge that 1 
have left him can be so considered.” 

“ The two former are enough,” said a voice, 
that proceeded from a figure which had hitherto 
stood unseen, shaded by the trunk of an oak, that 
spread its wide, but naked arms above the spot 
where the guard was paraded. 

u Who have we here !” Manual again cried ; 
“ come in ; yield or you will be fired at.” 

“ What, will the gallant Captain Manual fire on 
his own rescuer !” said the Pilot, with cool disdain, 
as he advanced from the shadow of the tree. 
c< He had better reserve his bullets for his ene- 
mies, than waste them on his friends.” 

“ You have done a dangerous deed, sir, in ap- 
proaching, clandestinely, a guard of marines ! I 
wonder that a man who has already discovered, 
to-night, that he has some knowledge of tactics, 
by so ably conducting a surprise, should betray so 
much ignorance in the forms of approaching a 
picket !” 

u ’Tis now of no moment,” returned the Pi- 
lot ; “ my knowledge and my ignorance are alike 


472 


THE PILOT. 


t 


immaterial, as the command of the party is surren- 
dered to other, and perhaps more proper hands. 
But I would talk to this lady alone, sir ; she is an 
acquaintance of my youth, and I will see her on 
her way to the Abbey.’ 5 

u The step would be unmilitary, Mr. Pilot, and 
you will excuse me if I do not consent to any of 
our expedition straggling without the sentries. If 
you choose to remain here to hold your discourse, 
I will march the picket out of hearing ; though 1 
must acknowledge I see no ground so favourable 
as this we are on, to keep you within the range of 
our eyes. You perceive that I have a ravine to 
retreat into, in case of surprise, with this line of 
wall on my left flank, and the trunk of that tree 
to cover my right. A very pretty stand might be 
made here, on emergency ; for even the oldest 
troops fight the best when their flanks are properly 
covered, and a way to make a regular retreat is 
open in their rear.” 

u Say no more, sir; I would not break up such 
a position on any account,” returned the Pilot ; 
“ the lady will consent to retrace her path for a 
short distance.” 

Alice followed his steps, in compliance with this 
request, until he had led her to a place, at some 
little distance from the marines, where a tree had 
been prostrated by the late gale. She seated her- 
self quietly on its trunk, and appeared to await 
with patience his own time for the explanation of 
his motives, in seeking the interview. The Pilot 
paced for several minutes, back and forth, in front 
of the place where she was seated, in profound si- 
lence, as if communing with himself, when sud- 
denly throw ing off his air of absence, he came to 
her side, and assumed a position similar to the one 
which she herself had taken. 


THE PILOT. 


473 


“ The hour is at hand, Alice, when we must 
part,” he at length commenced ; “ it rests with 
yourself whether it shall be for ever.” 

“ Let it then be fo^ ever, John,” she returned, 
with a slight tremour in her voice. 

“ That word would have been less appalling, 
had this accidental meeting never occurred. And 
yet your choice may have been determined by 
prudence — for what is there in my fate that can 
tempt a woman to wish that she might share it !” 
u If ye mean your lot is that of one who can 
find but few, or even none, to partake of his joys, 
or to share in his sorrows, whose life is a continual 
scene of dangers and calamities, of disappointments 
and mishaps, then do ye know but little of the 
heart of woman, if ye doubt of either her ability oi 
her willingness, to meet them with the man of her 
choice.” 

“ Say you thus, Alice ! then have I misunder- 
stood your meaning, or misinterpreted your acts. 
My lot is not altogether that of a neglected man, 
unless the favour of princes, and the smiles of 
queens, can be thus termed ! My life is, however, 
one of many and fearful dangers ; and yet it is not 
filled altogether with calamities and mishaps ; is 
it, Alice ?” He paused a moment, but in vain, for 
her answer. “ Nay, then, I have been deceived 
in the estimation that the world has affixed to my 
combats and enterprises ! I am not, Alice, the 
man I would be, or even the man I had deemed 
myself.” 

“ You have gained a name, John, among the 
warriors of the age,” she answered, in a subdued 
voice : “ and it is a name that may be said to be 
written in blood !” 

u The blood of my enemies, Alice !” 

“ The blood of the subjects of your natural 

43 * 


474 


THE PILOT 


prince ! The blood of those who breathe the air 
you first breathed, and who were taught the same 
holy lessons of instruction that you were first 
taught; but which, I fear, you have too soon for- 
gotten !” 

“ The blood of the slaves of despotism !” he 
sternly interrupted her ; u the blood of the ene- 
mies of freedom ! you have dwelt so long in this 
dull retirement, and you have cherished so blindly 
the prejudices of your youth, that the promise of 
those noble sentiments I once thought I could see 
budding in Alice Dunscombe, has not been ful- 
filled.”" 

u I have lived and thought only as a woman, as 
become my sex and station,” Alice meekly replied ; 
cc and when it shall be necessary for me to live and 
think otherwise, I should wish to die.” 

“ Ay, there lie the first seeds of slavery ! A 
dependent woman is sure to make the mother of 
craven and abject wretches, who dishonour the 
name of man !” 

u I shall never be the mother of children, good 
or bad” — said Alice, with that resignation in her 
tones that showed she had abandoned the natural 
hopes of her sex. — u Singly and unsupported have 
I lived ; alone and unlamented must I be carried 
to my grave.” 

The exquisite pathos of her voice, as she utter- 
ed this placid speech, blended as it was with the 
sweet and calm dignity of virgin pride, touched 
the heart of her listener, and he continued silent 
many moments, as if in reverence of her deter- 
mination. Her sentiments awakened in his own 
breast those feelings of generosity and disinterest- 
edness, w r hich had nearly been smothered in rest- 
less ambition and the pride of success. He re- 
sumed the discourse, therefore, more mildly, and 


THE PILOT. 


475 


with a much greater exhibition of deep feeling, and 
less of passion, in his manner. 

u I know not, Alice, that I ought, situated as I 
am, and contented, if not happy, as you are, even 
to attempt to revive in your bosom those senti- 
ments which I was once led to think existed there. 
It cannot, after all, be a desirable fate, to share the 
lot of a rover like myself ; one who may be term- 
ed a Quixote in the behalf of liberal principles, and 
who may be hourly called to seal the truth of those 
principles with his life.” 

u There never existed any sentiment in my 
breast, in which you are concerned, that does not 
exist there still, and unchanged,” returned Alice, 
with her single-hearted sincerity. 

“ Do I hear you aright ! or have I misconceived 
your resolution to abide in England ! or have I not 
rather mistaken your early feelings ?” 

“ You have fallen into no error now nor then. 
The weakness may still exist, John, but the strength 
to struggle with it, has, by the goodness of God, 
grown with my years. It is not, however, of my- 
self, but of you, that I would speak. I have lived 
like one of our simple daisies, which in the bud- 
ding may have caught your eye ; and I shall also 
wilt like the humble flower, when the winter of 
my time arrives, without being missed from the 
fields that have known me for a season. But your 
fall, John, will be like that of the oak that now 
supports us, and men shall pronounce on the beau- 
ty and grandeur of the noble stem while standing, 
as well as of its usefulness when felled.” 

u Let them pronounce as they will !” returned 
the proud stranger. u The truth must be finally 
known, and when that hour shall come, they will 
say, he was a faithful and gallant warrior in his 
day ; and a worthy lesson for all who are born in 


476 


THE PILOT. 


slavery, but would live in freedom, shall be found 
in his example.” 

u Such may be the language of that distant 
people, whom ye have adopted in the place of those 
that once formed home and kin to ye,” said Alice, 
glancing her eye timidly at his countenance, as if 
to discern how far she might venture, without 
awakening his resentment ; u but what will the 
men of the land of your birth transmit to their 
children, who will be the children of those that are 
of your own blood ?” 

“ They will say, Alice, whatever their crooked 
policy may suggest, or their disappointed vanity 
can urge. But the picture must be drawn by the 
friends of the hero as well as by his enemies ! 
Think you that there are not pens as well as 
swords in America ?” 

“ I have heard that America called a land, John, 
where God has lavished his favours with an un- 
sparing hand ; where he has bestowed many 
climes with their several fruits, and where his 
power is exhibited no less than his mercy. It is 
said her rivers are without any known end, and 
that lakes are found in her bosom, which would 
put our German Ocean to shame ! The plains, 
teeming with verdure, are spread over wide de- 
grees, and yet those sweet valleys, which a single 
heart can hold, are not wanting. In short, John, 
I hear it is a broad land, that can furnish food for 
each passion, and contain objects for every affec- 
tion.” 

u Ay, you have found those, Alice, in your soli- 
tude, who have been willing to do her justice ! It 
is a country that can form a world of itself ; and 
why should they who inherit it look to other na- 
tions for their laws ?” 

“ I pretend not to reason on the right of the 


THE PILOT. 


477 


children of that soil, to do whatever they may 
deem most meet for their own welfare,” returned 
Alice — “ but can men be born in such a land, and 
not know the feelings which bind a human being 
to the place of his birth ?” 

“ Can you doubt that they should be patriotic ?” 
exclaimed the Pilot, in surprise. u Do not their 
efforts in this sacred cause — their patient suffer- 
ings — their long privations, speak loudly in their 
behalf ?” 

a And will they, who know so well how to love 
home, sing the praises of him, who has turned his 
ruthless hand against the land of his fathers ?” 

“ For ever harping on that word, home !” said 
the Pilot, who now detected the timid approach- 
es of Alice to her hidden meaning. u Is man a 
stick or a stone, that he must be cast into the fire, 
or buried in a wall, wherever his fate may have 
doomed him to appear on the earth ? The sound 
of home is said to feed the vanity of an English- 
man, let him go where he will ; but it would seem 
to have a still more powerful charm with English 
women !” 

cc It is the dearest of all terms to every woman, 
John, for it embraces the dearest of all ties ! If 
your dames of America are ignorant of its charm, 
all the favours which God has lavished on their 
land will avail their happiness but little.” 

“ Alice,” said the Pilot, rising in his agitation, 
u I see but too well the object of your allusions. 
But on this subject we can never agree ; for not 
even your power can draw me from the path of 
glory in which I am now treading. Our time is 
growing brief; let us then talk of other things. — 
This may be the last time that I shall ever put foot 
on the island of Britain.” 

Alice paused to struggle with the feelings exci- 


478 


THE PILOT. 


ted by this remark, before she pursued the dis- 
course. But soon shaking off the weakness, she 
added, with a rigid adherence to that course which 
she believed to be her duty — 

u And now, John, that you have landed, is the 
breaking up of a peaceful family, and the violence 
ye have shown towards an aged man, a fit exploit 
for one whose object is the glory of which ye have 
spoken ?” 

“ Think you that I have landed, and placed my 
life in the hands of my enemies, for so unworthy 
an object ! No, Alice, my motive for this under- 
taking has been disappointed, and therefore will 
ever remain a secret from the world. But duty 
to my cause has prompted the step which you so 
unthinkingly condemn. This Colonel Howard 
has some consideration with those in power, and 
will answer to exchange for a better man. As for 
his wards, you forget their home, their magical 
home, is in America : unless, indeed, they find 
them nearer at hand, under the proud flag of a 
frigate, that is now waiting for them in the offing.” 

u You talk of a frigate !” said Alice, with sud- 
den interest in the subject — “ Is she your only 
means of escaping from your enemies ?” 

“ Alice Dunscombe has taken but little heed of 
passing events, to ask such a question of me !” re- 
turned the haughty Pilot. u The question would 
have sounded more discreetly, had it been, c is she 
the only vessel with you that your enemies will 
have to escape from ?’ ” 

u Nay, I cannot measure my language at such a 
moment,” continued Alice, with a still stronger 
exhibition of anxiety. u It was my fortune to 
overhear a part of a plan that was intended to 
destroy, by sudden means, those vessels of Ame- 
rica that were in our seas.” 


THE PILOT. 


479 


u That might be a plan more suddenly adopted 
than easily executed, my good Alice. And who 
were those redoubtable schemers ?” • 

u 1 know not but my duty to the king should 
cause me to suppress this information,” said Alice, 
hesitating. 

“ Well, be it so,” returned the Pilot coolly ; 
u it may prove the means of saving the persons of 
some of the royal officers from 'death or captivity. 
I have already said, this may be the last of my vi- 
sits to this island, and consequently, Alice, the last 
of our interviews — ” 

“ And yet,” said Alice, still pursuing the train 
of her own thoughts, “ there can be but little 
harm in sparing human blood ; and least of all in 
serving those whom we have long known and re 
garded !” 

“ Ay, that is a simple doctrine, and one that is 
easily maintained,” he added, with much apparent 
indifference ; u and yet king George might well 
spare some of his servants — the list of his abject 
minions is so long !” 

u There was a man named Dillon, who lately 
dwelt in the Abbey, but who has mysteriously dis- 
appeared,” continued Alice ; u or rather who was 
captured by your companions ; know you aught of 
him, John ?” 

“ I have heard there was a miscreant of that 
name, but we have never met. Alice, if it please 
Heaven that this shall be the last” — 

“ He was a captive in the schooner called the 
Ariel,” she added, still unheeding his affected in- 
difference to her communication, u and when per- 
mitted to return to St. Ruth, he lost sight of his 
solemn promise, and of his plighted honour, to 
wreak his malice. Instead of effecting the ex- 
change that he had conditioned to see made, he 


480 


THE PILOT. 


plotted treason against his captors. Yes! it was 
most foul treason ! for his treatment was generous 
and kind, and his liberation certain.” 

u He was a most unworthy scoundrel ! But, 
Alice”— 

u Nay, listen, John,” she continued, urged to 
even a keener interest in his behalf by his apparent 
inattention ; ' u and yet I should speak tenderly of 
his failings, for he is already numbered with the 
dead ! One part of his scheme must have been 
frustrated, for he intended to destroy that schoonei 
which you call the Ariel, and to have taken the 
person of the young Barnstable.” 

u In both of which he has failed ! The person 
of Barnstable I have rescued, and the Ariel has 
been stricken by a hand far mightier than any of 
this world ! she is wrecked.” 

u Then is the frigate your only means of escape ! 
Hasten, John, and seem not so proud and heed- 
less, for the hour may come w T hen all your daring 
will not profit ye against the machinations of se- 
cret enemies. This Dillon had also planned that 
expresses should journey to a sea-port at the south 
with the intelligence that your vessels were in 
these seas, in order that ships might be despatched 
to intercept your retreat.” 

Th£ Pilot lost his affected indifference as she 
proceeded, and before she ceased speaking, his 
eye was endeavouring to anticipate her words, by 
reading her countenance through the dusky me- 
dium of the star-light. 

“ How know you this, Alice ?” he asked quick- 
ly — c ' and what vessel did he name ?” 

“ Chance made me an unseen listener to their 
plan, and — I know not but I forget my duty to my 
prince ! but, John, ’tis asking too much of w T eak 
woman to require that she shall see the man whom 


THE PILOT. 


481 


she once viewed with eyes of favour, sacrificed, 
when a word of caution, given in season, might 
enable him to avoid the danger !” 

“ Once viewed with an eye of favour ! Is it then 
so ?” said the Pilot, speaking in a vacant manner. 
u But, Alice, heard ye the force of the ships, or 
their names ? Give me their names, and the first 
lord of your British admiralty shall not give so 
true an account of their force, as I will furnish from 
this list of my own .’ 5 

u Their names were certainly mentioned,” said 
Alice, with tender melancholy ; “ but the name of 
one far nearer to me was ringing in my ears, and 
has driven them from my mind.” 

“ You are the same good Alice I once knew ! 
And my name was mentioned ? What said they 
of the Pirate ? Had his arm stricken a blow that 
made them tremble in their Abbey ? Did they 
call him coward, girl ?” 

u It was mentioned in terms that pained my 
heart as I listened. For, it is ever too easy a task 
to forget the lapse of years, nor are the feelings of 
youth to be easily eradicated.” 

“ Ay, there is luxury in knowing, that with 
all their affected abuse, the slaves dread me in 
their secret holds !” exclaimed the Pilot, pacing in 
front of his listener, with quick steps. “ This it is 
to be marked, among men, above all others in 
your calling ! I hope yet to see the day when the 
third George shall start at the sound of that name, 
even within the w^ails of his palace.” 

Alice Dunscombe heard him in deep and morti- 
fied silence. It was too evident that a link in the 
chain of their sympathies w r as broken, and that the 
weakness in which she had been unconsciously in- 
dulging, was met by no correspondent emotions in 
him. After sinking her head for a moment on he 

42 


482 


THE PILOT. 


bosom, she arose with a little more than h(5r 
usual air of meekness, and recalled the Pilot to a 
sense of her presence, by saying, in a yet mildei 
voice — 

u I have now communicated all that it can profit 
you to know, and it is meet that we separate.” 

“ What, thus soon ?” he cried, starting and tak- 
ing her hand. u This is but a short interview, 
Alice, to precede so long a separation.” 

“ Be it short, or be it long, it must now end,” 
she replied. u Your companions are on the eve 
of departure, and 1 trust you would be one of the 
last who would wish to be deserted. If ye do visit 
England again, I hope it may be with altered sen- 
timents, so far as regards her interests. I wish ye 
peace, John, and the blessings of God, as ye may 
be found to deserve them.” 

u I ask no farther, unless it may be the aid of 
your gentle prayers ! But the night is gloomy, 
and I will see you in safety to the Abbey.” 

u It is unnecessary,” she returned, with woman- 
ly reserve. “ The innocent can be as fearless on 
occasion, as the most valiant among you warriors. 
But here is no cause for fear. I shall take a path 
that will conduct me in a different way from that 
which is occupied by your soldiers, and where I 
shall find none but him who is ever present to 
protect the helpless. Once more, John, I bid ye 
adieu.” Her voice faltered as she continued — 
u Ye will share the lot of humanity, and have your 
hours of care and weakness ; at such moments ye 
can remember those ye leave on this despised 
island, and perhaps among them ye may think of 
some whose interest in your welfare has been far 
removed from selfishness.” 

u God be with you, Alice !” he said, touched 
with her emotion, and losing all vain images in 


THE PILOT. 


483 


more woithy feelings — “ but 1 cannot permit you 
to go alone.” 

“ Here we part, John,” she said firmly, u and 
for ever !” 5 Tis for the happiness of both, for I 
feay we have but little in common.” She gently 
wrested her hand from his grasp, and once more 
bidding him adieu, in a voice that was nearly in- 
audible, she turned and slowly disappeared, mov- 
ing, with lingering steps, in the direction of the 
Abbey. 

The first impulse of the Pilot was, certainly, to 
follow, and insist on seeing her on the way; but 
the music of the guard on the cliffs at that moment 
sent forth its martial strains, and the whistle of the 
boatswain was heard winding its shrill call among 
the rocks, in those notes that his practised ear 
well understood to be the last signal for embark- 
ing- 

Obedient to the summons, this singular man, in 
whose breast the natural feelings, that were now 
on the eve of a violent eruption, had so long been 
smothered by the visionary expectations of a wild 
ambition, and perhaps of fierce resentments, pur- 
sued his course, in deep abstraction, towards the 
boats. He was soon met by the soldiers of Bor- 
roughcliffe, deprived of their arms, it is true, 
but unguarded, and returning peacefully to their 
quarters. The mind of the Pilot, happily for the 
liberty of these men, was too much absorbed in 
his peculiar reflections, to note this act of Grif- 
fith’s generosity, nor did he arouse from his mu- 
sing until his steps were arrested by suddenly en- 
countering a human figure in the path-way. A 
light tap on his shoulder was the first mark of re- 
cognition he received, when Borroughcliffe, who 
stood before him, said — 

“ It is evident, sir, from what has passed this 


484 


THE PILOT. 


evening, that you are not what you seem. You 
may be some rebel admiral or general, for aught 
that I know, the right to command having been 
strangely contested among ye this night. But let 
who will own the chief authority, I take the liber* 
ty of whispering in your ear that I have been scur- 
vily treated by you — I repeat, most scurvily treat- 
ed by you all, generally, and by you in particu- 
lar.” 

The Pilot started at this strange address, w 7 hich 
was uttered with all the bitterness that could be 
imparted to it by a disappointed man ; but he mo- 
tioned with his hand for the captain to depart, and 
turned aside to pursue his own way. 

u Perhaps I am not properly understood,” con- 
tinued the obstinate soldier ; u I say, sir, you have 
treated me scurvily ; and I w 7 ould not be thought 
to say this to any gentleman, without wishing to 
give him an opportunity to vent his anger.” 

The eye of the Pilot, as he moved forward, 
glanced at the pistols which Borroughcliffe held in 
his hands, the one by the handle, and the other 
by its barrel, and the soldier even fancied that his 
footsteps w r ere quickened by the sight. After 
gazing at him until his form w as lost in the dark- 
ness, the captain muttered to himself — 

“ He is no more than a common Pilot after all ! 
No true gentleman w T ould have received so palpa- 
ble a hint with such a start. Ah ! here comes the 
party of my worthy friend whose palate knows a 
grape of the north side of Madeira from one of the 
south. The dog has the throat of a gentleman ! 
we w ill see how T he can sw allow a delicate allusion 
to his faults !” 

Borroughcliffe stepped aside to allow the ma- 
rines, who were also in motion for the boats, to 
pass, and w atched w r ith keen looks for the person 


THE PILOT. 


485 


oi the commander. Manual, who had been pre- 
viously apprised of the intention of Griffith to 
release the prisoners, had halted to see that none 
but those who had been liberated by authority, 
were marching into the country. This accidental 
circumstance gave Borrougheliffe an opportunity 
of meeting the other at some little distance from 
either of their respective parties. 

a I greet you, sir,’ 5 said Borrougheliffe, u with 
all affection. This has been a pleasant forage for 
you, Captain Manual.” 

The marine was far from being disposed to 
wrangle, but there was that in the voice of the 
other which caused him to answer — 

u It would have been far pleasanter, sir, if I had 
met an opportunity of returning to Captain Bor- 
roughcliffe some of the favours that I have received 
at his hands.” 

“ Nay, then, dear sir, you weigh my modesty to 
the earth ! Surely you forget the manner in 
which my hospitality has already been requited— 
by some two hours’ mouthing of my sword hilt ; 
with a very unceremonious ricochet into a corner ; 
together with a love-tap, received over the shoul- 
ders of one of my men, by so gentle an instrument 
as the butt of a musket ! Damme, sir, but I think 
an ungrateful man only a better sort of beast !” 
u Had the love-tap been given to the officer in- 
stead of the man,” returned Manual, with all com- 
mendable coolness, “ it would have been better 
justice ; and the ramrod might have answered as 
well as the butt, to floor a gentleman who carried 
the allowance of four thirsty fiddlers under one 
man’s jacket.” 

u Now, that is rank ingratitude to your own 
cordial of the south side, and a most biting insult ! 
I really see but one way of terminating this wordy 

42 * 


486 


THE PILOT. 


war, which, if not discreetly ended, may lead us 
far into the morning.” 

“ Elect your own manner of determining the 
dispute, sir ; I hope, however, it will not be by 
your innate knowledge of mankind, which has al- 
ready mistaken a captain of marines in the service 
of Congress, for a runaway lover, bound to some 
green place or other.” 

“ You might just as well tweak my nose, sir !” 
said Borroughcliffe. u Indeed, I think it would 
be the milder reproach of the two ! will you make 
your selection of these, sir ? They were loaded 
for a very different sort of service, but I doubt not 
will answer on occasion.” 

“ I am provided with a pair, that are charged 
for any service,” returned Manual, drawing a pis- 
tol from his own belt, and stepping backward a few 
paces. * 

“ You are destined lor America, I know,” said 
Borroughcliffe, who stood his ground with con- 
summate coolness ; “ but it would be more con- 
venient for me, sir, if you could delay your march 
for a single moment.” 

“ Fire and defend yourself!” exclaimed Ma- 
nual furiously, retracing his steps towards his 
enemy. 

The sounds of the tw r o pistols were blended in 
one report, and the soldiers of Borroughcliffe and 
the marines all rushed to the place, on the sudden 
alarm. Had the former been provided with arms, 
it is probable a bloody fray would have been the 
consequence of the sight that both parties beheld 
on arriving at the spot, which they did simultane- 
ously. Manual lay on his back, wdthout any signs 
of life, and Borroughcliffe had changed his cool, 
haughty, upright attitude, for a recumbent posture, 
which w T as somewhat between lying and sitting. 


THE PILOT. 


487 


a Is the poor fellow actually expended ?” said 
the Englishman, in something like the tones of re- 
gret ; u well, he had a soldier’s metal in him, and 
was nearly as great a fool as myself !” 

The marines had, luckily for the soldiers and 
their captain, by this time discovered the signs of 
life in their own commander, who had been onlv 
slightly stunned by the bullet which had grazed his 
crown, and who being assisted on his feet, stood a 
minute or two rubbing his head, as if awaking from 
a dream. As Manual came gradually to his senses 
he recollected the business in which he had just 
been engaged, and, in his turn, inquired after the 
fate of his antagonist. 

u I am here, my worthy incognito,” cried the 
other, with the voice of perfect good nature ; u ly- 
ing in the lap of mother Earth, and all the better 
for opening a vein or two in my right leg ; — though 
I do think that the same effect might have been 
produced without treating the bone so roughly ! — 
But I opine that I saw you also reclining on the 
bosom of our common ancestor.” 

“ I was down for a few minutes, I do believe,’ 
returned Manual ; a there is the path of a bullet 
across my scalp !” 

“ Humph ! on the head !” said Borroughcliffe, 
dryly ; u the hurt is not likely to be mortal, I see. 
• — Well, 1 shall offer to raffle with the first poor 
devil 1 can find that has but one good leg, for who 
shall have both ; and that will just set up a beggar 
and a gentleman ! — Manual, give me your hand ; 
we have drank together, and we have fought ; 
surely there is nothing now to prevent our being 
sworn friends !” 

“ Why,” returned Manual, continuing to rub his 
head, “ I see no irremoveable objections — but you 
will want a surgeon ? can I order any thing to be 


488 


THIS PILOT. 


done ? There go the signals again to embark— 
march the fellows down at quick time, sergeant 
my own man may remain with me, or, I can do al- 
together without assistance . 55 

u Ah l you are what l call a well made man ? 
my dear friend ! 55 exclaimed Borroughcliffe ; u no 
weak points about your fortress ! such a man is 
worthy to be the head of a whole corps, instead of 
a solitary company. — Gently, Drill, gently ; handle 
me as if I were made of potter’s clay. — I will not 
detain you longer, my friend Manual, for I hear 
signal after signal ; they must be in want of some 
of your astonishing reasoning faculties to set them 
afloat . 55 

Manual might have been offended at the palpa- 
ble allusions that his new friend made to the firm- 
ness of his occiput, had not his perception of things 
been a little confused, by a humming sound that 
seemed to abide near the region of thought. As it 
was, he reciprocated the good wishes of the other ? 
whom he shook most cordially by the hand, and 
once more renewed his offers of service, after ex- 
changing sundry friendly speeches. 

“ I thank you quite as much as if I were not at 
all indebted to you for letting blood, thereby sav- 
ing me a fit of apoplexy ; but Drill has already 

despatched a messenger to B for a leech, and 

the lad may bring the whole depot down upon 
you. — Adieu, once more, and remember, that if 
you ever visit England again as a friend, you are 
to let me see you . 55 

u I shall do it without fail ; and I shall keep you 
to your promise if you once more put foot in 
America . 55 

u Trust me for that: I shall stand in need ol 
your excellent head to guide me safely among 


* *\ 


THE PILOT. 


489 


those rude foresters ! Adieu ; cease not to bear 
me in your thoughts.” 

u I shall never cease to remember you, my good 
friend,” returned Manual, again scratching the 
member which was snapping in a manner that 
caused him to fancy he heard it. Once more these 
worthies shook each other by the hand, and again 
they renewed their promises of future intercourse ; 
after which they separated like two reluctant 
lovers — parting in a manner that would have put 
to shame the friendship of Orestes and Pylades ! 


CHAPTER XXXI. 


u Nay, answer me : stand and unfold yourself.” 

Hamlet 


During the time occupied by the incidents that 
occurred after the Pilot had made his descent on 
the land, the Alacrity, now under the orders of Mr. 
Boltrope, the master of the frigate, lay off and on, 
in readiness to receive the successful mariners. 
The direction of the wind had been gradually 
changing from the north-east to the south, during 
the close of the day ; and long before the middle 
watches of the night, the w 7 ary old seaman, who 
it maybe remembered, had expressed, in the coun- 
cil of w 7 ar, such a determined reluctance to trust 
his person within the realm of Britain, ordered the 
man wdio steered the cutter to stand in boldly for 
the land. Whenever the lead told them that it w as 
prudent to tack, the course of the vessel was chang- 
ed ; and in this manner the seamen continued to 
employ the hours in patient attendance on the ad- 
venturers. The sailing-master, who had spent 
the early years of his life as the commander of 
divers vessels employed in trading, w 7 as apt, like 
many men of his vocation and origin, to mistake 
the absence of refinement for the surest evidence 


THE PILOT. 


491 


of seamanship ; and, consequently, he held the lit- 
tle courtesies and punctilios of a man-of-war in 
high disdain. His peculiar duties of superintend- 
ing the expenditure of the ship’s stores, in their 
several departments ; of keeping the frigate’s log- 
book ; and of making his daily examinations into 
the state of her sails and rigging, brought him so 
little in collision with the gay, laughing, reckless 
young lieutenants, who superintended the ordinary 
management of the vessel, that he might be said to 
have formed a distinct species of the animal, 
though certainly of the same genus with his more 
polished messmates. Whenever circumstances, 
however, required that he should depart from the 
dull routine of his duty, he made it a rule, as far 
as possible, to associate himself with such of the 
crew as possessed habits and opinions the least at 
variance with his own. 

By a singular fatality, the chaplain of the fri- 
gate was, as respects associates, in a condition, 
nearly assimilated to that of this veteran tar. 

An earnest desire to ameliorate the situation of 
those who were doomed to meet death on the 
great deep, had induced an experienced and sim- 
ple-hearted divine to accept this station, in the 
fond hope that he might be made the favoured in- 
strument of salvation to many, who were then ex- 
isting in a state of the most abandoned self-for- 
getfulness. Neither our limits, nor our present 
object, will permit the relation of the many causes 
that led, not only to an entire frustration of all his 
visionary expectations, but to an issue which ren- 
dered the struggle of the good divine with himself 
both arduous and ominous, in order to maintain 
his own claims to the merited distinctions of his 
sacred office. The consciousness of his backsliding 
had so far lessened the earthly, if not the spiritual 


492 


THE PILOT. 


pride of the chaplain, as to induce him to reftsn 
the society of the rude master, whose years had 
brought him, at times, to take certain views of fu- 
turity, that were singularly affected by the pecu- 
liar character of the individual. It might have 
been that both found themselves out of their places 
— but it was owing to some such secret sympathy, 
let its origin be what it would, that the two came 
to be fond of each other’s company. On the night 
in question, Mr. Boltrope had invited the chaplain 
to accompany him in the Alacrity ; adding, in his 
broad, rough language, that as there was to be 
fighting on shore, a his hand might come in play 
with some poor fellow or other.” This singular in- 
vitation had been accepted, as well from a desire 
to relieve the monotony of a sea life by any change, 
as perhaps with a secret yearning in the breast of 
the troubled divine, to get as nigh to terra firma as 
possible. Accordingly, after the Pilot had landed 
with his boisterous party, the sailing-master and 
the chaplain, together with a boatswain’s-mate and 
some ten or twelve seamen, were left in quiet 
possession of the cutter. The first few hours of 
this peaceable intercourse had been spent by the 
worthy messmates, in the little cabin of the vessel, 
over a can of grog ; the savoury relish of which 
was much increased by a characteristic disquisition 
on polemical subjects, which our readers have 
great reason to regret it is not our present humour 
to record. When, however, the winds invited the 
nearer approach to the hostile shores already men- 
tioned, the prudent sailing-master adjourned the 
discussion to another and more suitable time, re- 
moving himself and the can, by the same opera- 
tion, to the quarter-deck. 

u There,” cried the honest tar, placing the wood* 
en vessel, with great self-contentment, by his side 


THE PILOT. 


493 


on the deck , u this is ship’s comfort ! There is a 
good deal of what I call a lubber’s fuss, parson, 
kept up on board a ship that shall be nameless, but 
which bears, about three leagues distant, broad 
off in the ocean, and which is lying-to under a 
close-reefed maintopsail, a foretopmast-staysail 
and foresail — I call my hand a true one in mixing 
a can — take another pull at the halyards ! — ’twill 
make your eye twinkle like a light-house, this 
dark morning ! You won’t? well, we must give 
no offence to the Englishman’s rum.” — After a po- 
tent draught had succeeded this considerate de- 
claration, he added — u You are a little like our 
first lieutenant, parson, who drinks, as I call it, no- 
thing but the elements — which is, water stiffened 
with air!” 

“ Mr. Griffith may indeed be said to set a 
wholesome example to the crew,” returned the 
chaplain, perhaps with a slight consciousness that it 
had not altogether possessed its due weight with 
himself. 

“ Wholesome !” cried Boltrope ; “ let me tell 
you, my worthy leaf-turner, that if you call such 
a light diet wholesome, you know but little of salt 
water and sea-fogs ! How ever, Mr. Griffith is a 
seaman ; and if he gave his mind less to trifles and 
gimcracks, he w 7 ould be, by the time he got to 
about our years, a very rational sort of a compa- 
nion. — But you see, parson, just now r , he thinks 
too much of small follies ; such as man-of-war dis- 
ciplyne. — Now there is rationality in giving a fresh 
nip to a rope, or in looking well at your mats, or 
even in crowning a cable ; but damme, priest, if I 
see the use — luff, luff, you lubber ; don’t ye see, 
sir, you are steering for Garmany ! — If I see the 
use, as 1 was saying, of making a rumpus about the 
time when a man changes his shirt ; whether it be 

41 


494 


THE PILOT. 


this week, or next week, or, for that matter, the 
week after, provided it be bad weather. I some- 
times am mawkish about attending muster, (and I 
believe I have as little to fear on the score of be- 
haviour as any man,) lest it should be found I car- 
ried my tobacco in the wrong cheek !” 

“ I have indeed thought it somewhat trouble- 
some to myself, at times ; and it is in a striking 
degree vexatious to the spirit, especially when the 
body has been suffering under sea-sickness.” 
u Why, yes, you were a little apt to bend your 
duds wrong for the first month, or so,” said the 
master ; “ I remember you got the marine’s scra- 
per on your head, once, in your hurry to bury a 
dead man ! Then you never looked as if you be- 
longed to the ship, so long as those cursed black 
knee-breeches lasted ! For my part, I never saw 
you come up the quarter-deck ladder, but I ex- 
pected to see your shins give way across the 
combing of the hatch — a man does look like the 
devil, priest, scudding about a ship’s decks in that 
fashion, under bare poles ! But now the tailor has 
found out the articles ar’n’t sea-worthy, and we 
have got your lower stanchions cased in a pair of 
purser’s slops, I am puzzled often to tell your heels 
from those of a maintop-man !” 

“ I have good reason to be thankful for the 
change,” said the humbled priest, “ if the resem- 
blance you mention existed, while I was clad in 
the usual garb of one of my calling.” 

“ What signifies a calling ?” returned Boltrope, 
catching his breath after a most persevering 
draught ; “ a man’s shins are his shins, let his up- 
per works belong to what sarvice they may. I 
took an early prejudyce against knee-breeches, 
perhaps from a trick I’ve always had of figuring 
the devil as wearing them. You know, parson > 


THE PILOT. 


495 


we seldom hear much said of a man, without form- 
ing some sort of an idea concerning his rigging and 
fashion-pieces — and so as I had no particular rea- 
son to believe that Satan went naked — keep full, 
ye lubber ; now you are running into the wind’s 

eye, and be d d to ye ! — but as I was saying, 

l always took a conceit that the devil wore knee- 
breeches and a cock’d hat. There’s some of our 
young lieutenants, who come to muster on Sun- 
days in cock’d hats, just like soldier-officers; but, 
d’ye see, I would sooner show my nose under a 
night-cap, than under a scraper !” 

“ I hear the sound of oars !” exclaimed the 
chaplain, who, finding this image more distinct 
than even his own vivid conceptions of the great 
father of evil, was quite willing to conceal his in- 
feriority by changing the discourse — “ Is not one 
of our boats returning ?” 

“ Ay, ay, ’tis likely ; if it had been me, I should 
have been land- sick before this — wear round, 
boys, and stand by to heave-to on the other 
tack.” 

The cutter, obedient to her helm, fell off before 
the wind, and rolling an instant in the trough of 
the sea, came up again easily to her oblique posi- 
tion, with her head towards the cliffs, and gradu- 
ally losing her way, as her sails were brought to 
counteract each other, finally became stationary. 
During the performance of this evolution, a boat 
had hove up out of the gloom, in the direction of 
the land, and by the time the Alacrity was in a 
state of rest, it had approached so nigh as to ad- 
mit of hailing. 

“ Boat, ahoy !” murmured Boltrope, through a 
trumpet, which, aided by his lungs, produced 
sounds not unlike the roaring of a bull. 

“ Ay, ay,” was thrown back from a clear voice, 


496 


THE PILOT. 


that swept across the water with a fulness that 
needed no factitious aid to render it audible. 

“ Ay, there comes one of the lieutenants, with 
his ay, ay,” said Boltrope — a pipe the side, there, 
you boatswain’s-mate ! But here’s another fellow 
more on our quarter ! boat a-hoy !” 

“ Alacrity” — returned another voice, in a di- 
rection different from the other 

u Alacrity ! There goes my commission of Cap- 
tain of this craft, in a whiff,” returned the sailing- 
master. — “ That is as much as to say, here comes 
one who will command when he gets on board. 
Well, well, it is Mr. Griffith, and I can’t say, not- 
withstanding his love of knee-buckles, and small 
wares, but I’m glad he is out of the hands of the 
English ! Ay, here they all come upon us at once ! 
here is another fellow, that pulls like the jolly- 
boat, coming up on our lee-beam, w T ithin hail — let 
us see if he is asleep — boat a-hoy !” 

“ Flag,” answered a third voice from a small, 
light-rowing boat which had approached very near 
the cutter, in a direct line from the cliffs, without 
being observed. 

u Flag !” echoed Boltrope, dropping his trumpet 
in amazement — u that’s a big word to come out of 
a jolly-boat ! Jack Manly himself could not have 
spoke it with a fuller mouth — but I’ll know who it 
is that carries such a weather helm, w ith a Yankee 
man-of-war’s prize ! Boat a-hoy ! I say.” 

This last call was uttered in those short mena- 
cing tones, that are intended to be understood as 
intimating that the party hailing is in earnest ; and 
it caused the men who w 7 ere rowdng, and who 
were now quite close to the cutter, to suspend 
their strokes, simultaneously, as if they dreaded 
that the cry would be instantly succeeded by some 
more efficient means of ascertaining their charac- 


THE PILOT, 


497 


ter. The figure that was seated by itself in the 
stern of the boat, started at this second summons, 
and then, as if with sudden recollection, a quiet 
voice replied — 

No — no.” 

a c No — no,’ and c flag,’ are very different an- 
swers,” grumbled Boltrope ; u what know-nothing 
have we here ?” 

He was yet muttering his dissatisfaction at the 
ignorance of the individual that was approaching, 
whoever it might be, when the jolly-boat came 
slowly to their side, and the Pilot stepped from 
her stern-sheets on the decks of the prize. 

u Is it you, Mr. Pilot ?” exclaimed the sailing- 
master, raising a battle-lantern within a foot of the 
other’s face, and looking with a sort of stupid won- 
der at the proud and angry eye he encountered — 
u is it you ! well, I should have rated you for a 
man of more experience than to come booming 
down upon a man-of-war in the dark, with such a 
big word in your mouth, when every boy in the 
two vessels knows that we carry no swallow-tailed 
bunting abroad ! Flag ! why you might have got 
a shot, had there been soldiers.” 

The Pilot threw him a still fiercer glance, and 
turning away with a look of disgust, he walked 
along the quarter-deck towards the stern of the 
vessel, with an air of haughty silence, as if dis- 
daining to answer. Boltrope kept his eyes fas- 
tened on him for a moment longer, with some ap- 
pearance of scorn ; but the arrival of the boat first 
hailed, which proved to be the barge, immediately 
drew his attention to other matters. Barnstable 
had been rowing about in the ocean for a long 
time, unable to find the cutter, and as he had been 
compelled to suit his own demeanour to those with 
whom he was associated, he reached the Alacrity 

41 * 


498 


THE PILOT. 


in no very good-humoured mood. Colonel How 
ard and his niece had maintained during the whole 
period, the most rigid silence, the former from 
pride, and the latter touched with her uncle’s evi- 
dent displeasure ; and Katherine, though secretly 
elated with the success of all her projects, was 
content to emulate their demeanour for a short 
time in order to save appearances. Barnstable 
had several times addressed himself to the latter, 
without receiving any other answer than such as 
was absolutely necessary to prevent the lover from 
taking direct offence, at the same time that she 
intimated by her manner her willingness to re- 
main silent. Accordingly, the lieutenant, after 
aiding the ladies to enter the cutter, and offering 
to perform the same service to Colonel Howard, 
which was coldly declined, turned, with that sort 
of irritation that is by no means less rare in ves- 
sels of war than with poor human nature gene- 
rally, and gave vent to his spleen where he 
dared. 

u How’s this ! Mr. Boltrope !” he cried, “ here 
are boats coming alongside with ladies in them, 
and you keep your gaft swayed up till the leach of 
the sail is stretched like a fiddle-string — settle away 
your peak-halyards, sir, settle away !” 

u Ay, ay, sir,” grumbled the master; u settle 
away that peak there ; though the craft wouldn’t 
forge ahead a knot in a month, with all her gibs 
hauled over !” He walked sulkily forward among 
the men, folio w r ed by the meek divine ; and added, 
u I should as soon have expected to see Mr. Barn- 
stable come off w T ith a live ox in his' boat as a pet- 
ticoat ! The Lord only knows what the ship is 
coming to next, parson ! what between cocked hats 
and epaulettes, and other knee-buckle matters, she 
was a sort of no-man’s land before, and now, what 


THE PILOT. 


499 


with the women, and their ban-boxes, they’ll make 
another Noah’s Ark of her. I wonder they didn’t 
all come aboard in a coach and six, or a one horse 
shay !” 

It was a surprising relief to Barnstable to be 
able to give utterance to his humour, for a few 
moments, by ordering the men to make sundry 
alterations in every department of the vessel, in a 
quick, hurried voice, that abundantly denoted, not 
only the importance of his improvements, but the 
temper in which they were dictated. In his turn, 
however, he was soon compelled to give way by 
the arrival of Griffith, in the heavily-rowing launch 
of the frigate, which was crowded with a larger 
body of the seamen who had been employed in 
the expedition. In this manner, boat after boat 
speedily arrived, and the whole party were once 
more happily embarked in safety, under their na- 
tional flag. 

The small cabin of the Alacrity was relinquished 
to Colonel Howard and his wards, with their at- 
tendants. The boats were dropped astern, each 
protected by its own keeper ; and Griffith gave 
forth the mandate, to fill the sails and steer broad 
off into the ocean. For more than an hour the 
cutter held her course in this direction, gliding 
gracefully through the glittering waters, rising and 
settling heavily on the long, smooth billows, as if 
conscious of the unusual burden that she was 
doomed to carry ; but at the end of that period, 
her head was once more brought near the wind, 
and she was again held at rest, awaiting the ap- 
pearance of the dawn, in order to discover the po- 
sition of the prouder vessel, on which she was per- 
forming the humble duty of a tender. More than 
a hundred and fifty living men were crowded with- 
in her narrow limits ; and her decks presented, in 


500 


THE PILOT. 


the gloom, as she moved along, the picture of a 
mass of human heads. 

As the freedom of a successful expedition was 
unavoidably permitted, loud jokes, and louder 
merriment, broke on the silent waters, from the 
reckless seamen, while the exhilarating can passed 
from hand to hand, strange oaths, and dreadful 
denunciations breaking forth at times, from some 
of the excited crew against their enemy. At 
length the bustle of re-embarking gradually sub- 
sided, and many of the crew descended to the hold 
of the cutter, in quest of room to stretch their 
limbs, when a clear manly voice was heard rising 
above the deep in those strains that a seaman 
most loves to hear. Air succeeded air, from dif- 
ferent voices, until even the spirit of harmony 
grew dull with fatigue, and verses began to be 
heard where songs were expected, and fleeting 
lines succeeded stanzas. The decks were soon 
covered with prostrate men, seeking their natural 
rest, under the open heavens, and perhaps dream- 
ing, as they yielded heavily to the rolling of the 
vessel, of scenes of other times in their own hemi- 
sphere. The dark glances of Katherine were 
concealed beneath her falling lids ; and even Ce- 
cilia, with her head bowed on the shoulder of her 
cousin, slept sweetly in innocence and peace. 
Boltrope groped his way into the hold among the 
seamen, where, kicking one of the most fortunate 
of the men from his birth, he established himself 
in his place, with all that cool indifference to the 
other’s comfort, that had grown with his expe- 
rience, from the time when he was treated thus ca- 
valierly in his own person, to the present moment. 
In this manner, head was dropped after head, on 
the planks, the guns, or on whatever first offered 
for a pillow, until Griffith and Barnstable, alone, 


THE PILOT. 


501 


were left pacing the different sides of the quarter 
deck, in haughty silence. 

Never did a morning watch appear so long to 
the two young sailors, who w T ere thus deprived, by 
resentment and pride, of that frank and friendly 
communion, that had for so many years sweetened 
the tedious hours of their long, and at times, 
dreary service. To increase the embarrassment of 
their situation, Cecilia and Katherine, suffering 
from the confinement of the small and crowded 
cabin, sought the purer air of the deck, about the 
time when the deepest sleep had settled on the 
senses of the wearied mariners. They stood, lean- 
ing against the taffrail, discoursing w r ith each 
other in low 7 and broken sentences ; but a sort of 
instinctive knowledge of the embarrassment which 
existed between their lovers, caused a guarded 
control over every look or gesture which might 
be construed into an encouragement for one of the 
young men to advance at the expense of the other. 
Twenty times, however, did the impatient Barn- 
stable feel tempted to throw 7 off the awkw 7 ard re- 
straint, and approach his mistress ; but in each 
instance was he checked by the secret conscious- 
ness of error, as well as by that habitual respect 
for superior rank that forms a part of the nature of 
a sea-officer. On the other hand, Griffith mani- 
fested no intention to profit by this silent con- 
cession in his favour, but continued to pace the 
short quarter-deck, with strides more hurried than 
ever ; and w T as seen to throw 7 many an impatient 
glance towards that quarter of the heavens, where 
the first signs of the lingering day might be ex- 
pected to appear. At length Katherine, with a 
ready ingenuity, and perhaps w 7 ith some secret 
coquetry, removed the embarrassment, by speak 


502 


THE PILOT 


ing first, taking care to address the lover of her 
cousin — 

“ How long are we condemned to these limited 
lodgings, Mr. Griffith ?” she asked ; u truly, there 
is a freedom in your nautical customs, which, to 
say the least, is novel to us females, who have been 
accustomed to the division of space !” 

u The instant that there is light to discover the 
frigate, Miss Plowden,” he answered, “ you 
shall be transferred from a vessel of an hundred, 
to one of twelve hundred tons. If your situation 
there be less comfortable, than when within the 
walls of St. Ruth, you will not forget that they 
who live on the ocean claim it as a merit to de 
spise the luxuries of the land.” 

u At least, sir,” returned Katherine, with a 
sweet grace, which she well knew how to assume 
on occasion, u what we shall enjoy will be sweet- 
ened by liberty and embellished by a sailor’s hos- 
pitality. To me, Cicily, the air of this open sea 
is as fresh and invigorating, as if it were wafted 
from our own distant America !” 

u If you have not the arm of a patriot, you at 
least possess a most loyal imagination, Miss Plow- 
den,” said Griffith, laughing ; u this soft breeze 
blows in the direction of the fens of Holland, in- 
stead of the broad plains of America. — Thank God, 
there come the signs of day, at last ! unless the 
currents have swept the ship far to the north, we 
shall surely see her with the light.” 

This cheering intelligence drew the eyes of the 
fair cousins towards the east, where their delighted 
looks were long fastened, while they watched the 
glories of the sun rising over the water. As the 
morning had advanced, a deeper gloom was spread 
across the ocean, and the stars were gleaming in 


THE PILOT. 


503 


the heavens, like balls of twinkling fire. But now, 
a streak of pale light showed itself along the 
horizon, growing brighter, and widening at each 
moment, until long fleecy clouds became visible, 
where nothing had been seen before but the dim 
base of the arch that overhung the dark waters. 
This expanding light, which, in appearance, might 
be compared to a silvery opening in the heavens, 
was soon tinged with a pale flush, which quick- 
ened with sudden transitions, into glows yet 
deeper, until a belt of broad flame bounded the 
water, diffusing itself more faintly towards the 
zenith, where it melted into the pearl-coloured 
sky, or played on the fantastic volumes of a few 
light clouds with inconstant glimmering. While 
these beautiful transitions were still before the 
eyes of the youthful admirers of their beauties, a 
voice was heard above them, crying as if from the 
heavens — 

u Sail — ho ! The frigate lies broad off to sea- 
ward, sir !” 

u Ay, ay ; you have been watching with one 
eye asleep, fellow,” returned Griffith, u or we 
should have heard you before ! Look a little north 
of the place where the glare of the sun is coming, 
Miss Plowden, and you will be able to see our 
gallant vessel.” 

An involuntary cry of pleasure burst from the 
lips of Katherine, as she followed his directions, 
and first beheld the frigate through the medium of 
the fluctuating colours of the morning. The un- 
dulating outline of the lazy ocean, which rose and 
fell heavily against the bright boundary of the 
heavens, was without any relief to distract the 
eye, as it fed eagerly on the beauties of the solita- 
ry ship. She was riding sluggishly on the long 
seas, with only two of her lower and smaller sails 


504 


THE PILOT. 


spread, to hold her in command : but her tall masts 
and heavy yards were painted against the fiery 
sky, in strong lines of deep black, while even the 
smallest cord in the mazes of her rigging might be 
distinctly traced, stretching from spar to spar, with 
the beautiful accuracy of a picture. At moments, 
when her huge hull rose on a billow, and was lift- 
ed against the back ground of sky, its shape and 
dimensions were brought into view ; but these 
transient glimpses were soon lost, as it settled into 
the trough, leaving the waving spars bowing grace- 
fully towards the waters, as if about to follow the 
vessel into the bosom of the deep. As a clearer 
light gradually stole on the senses, the delusion of 
colours and distance vanished together, and when 
a flood of day preceded the immediate appearance 
of the sun, the ship became plainly visible, within 
a mile of the cutter, her black hull checkered with 
ports, and her high tapering masts exhibiting their 
proper proportions and hues. 

At the first cry of “ a sail,” the crew of the 
Alacrity had been aroused from their slumbers by 
the shrill whistle of the boatswain, and long before 
the admiring looks of the two cousins had ceased 
to dwell on the fascinating sight of morning chas- 
ing night from the hemisphere, the cutter was 
again in motion to join her consort. It seemed 
but a moment before theii little vessel was in, what 
the timid females thought, a dangerous proximity 
to the frigate, under whose lee she slowly passed, 
in order to admit of the following dialogue between 
Griffith and his aged commander : 

u I rejoice to see you, Mr. Griffith !” cried the 
captain, who stood in the channel of his ship, 
waving his hat, in the way of cordial greeting. 

You are welcome back, Captain Manual ; wel- 
come, welcome, all of you, my t>oys ! as welcome 


THE PILOT. 


505 


as a breeze in the calm latitudes.” As his eye, 
however, passed along the deck of the Alacrity, it 
encountered the shrinking figures of Cecilia and 
Katherine, and a dark shade of displeasure crossed 
his decent features, while he added — u How’s this, 
gentlemen ! The frigate of Congress is neither a 
ball-room, nor a church, that is to be thronged 
with women !” 

“ Ay, ay,” muttered Boltrope to his friend the 
chaplain, u now the old man has hauled out his 
mizzen, you’ll see him carry a weather helm ! He 
wakes up about as often as the trades shift their 
points, and that’s once in six months. But when 
there has been a neap-tide in his temper for any 
time, you’re sure to find it followed by a flood with 
a vengeance. Let us hear what the first lieute- 
nant can say in favour of his petticoat quality !” 
The blushing sky had not exhibited a more 
fiery glow, than gleamed in the fine face of Griffith 
for a moment ; but struggling with his disgust, he 
answered with bitter emphasis — 

“ ’Twas the pleasure of Mr. Gray, sir, to bring 
off the prisoners.” 

u Of Mr. Gray !” repeated the captain, instantly 
losing every trace of displeasure, in an air of ac- 
quiescence. u Come-to, sir, on the same tack with 
the ship, and I will hasten to order the accommo- 
dation ladder rigged, to receive our guests !” 
Boltrope listened to this sudden alteration in the 
language of his commander, with sufficient won- 
der ; nor was it until he had shaken his head re- 
peatedly, with the manner of one who saw deeper 
than his neighbours into a mystery, that he found 
leisure to observe — 

“ Now, parson, I suppose if you held an alma- 
nack in your fist, you’d think you could tell which 
way we shall have the wind to-morrow ! but damn 


506 


THE PILOT. 


me, priest, if better calculators than you havn’t 
failed ! Because a lubberly — no, he’s a thorough 
seaman, I’ll say that for the fellow ! — because a 
pilot chooses to say, c bring me off these here wo- 
men,’ the ship is to be so cluttered with she-cattle, 
that a man will be obligated to spend half his time 
in making his manners ! Now mind what I tell 
you, priest, this very frolic will cost Congress the 
price of a year’s wages for an able bodied seaman, 
in bunting and canvass for screens ; besides the 
wear and tear of running-gear in shortening sail, 
in order that the women need not be ’stericky in 
squalls !” 

The presence of Mr. Boltrope being required, 
to take charge of the cutter, the divine was denied 
an opportunity of dissenting from the opinions of 
his rough companion ; for the loveliness of their 
novel shipmates had not failed to plead loudly in 
their favour, with every man in the cutter whose 
habits and ideas had not become rigidly set in ob- 
stinacy. 

By the time the Alaciity was hove-to, with her 
head towards the frigate, the long line of boats 
that she had been towing during the latter part of 
the night, were brought to her side, and filled 
with men. A wild scene of unbridled merriment 
and gayety succeeded, while the seamen were 
exchanging the confinement of the prize for their 
accustomed lodgings in the ship, during which the 
reins of discipline were slightly relaxed. Loud 
laughter was echoed from boat to boat, as they 
' glided by each other ; and rude jests, interlarded 
with quaint humours and strange oaths, were free- 
ly bandied from mouth to mouth. The noise, 
however, soon ceased, and the passage of Colonel 
Howard and his wards was then effected, with less 
precipitancy, and due decorum. Captain Munson, 


THE PILOT 


507 


who had been holding a secret dialogue with Grif- 
fith and the Pilot, received his unexpected guests 
with plain hospitality, but with an evident desire 
to be civil. He politely yielded to their service 
his two convenient state-rooms, and invited them 
to partake, in common with himself, of the comforts 
of the great cabin. 


CHAPTER XXXII. 


M Furious press the hostile squadron, 
Furious he repe’js their rage, 

Loss of blood at length enfeebles; 

Who can war with thousands wage ?” 

Spanish War Song 


Ny. cannot detain the narrative, to detail the 
scenes which busy wonder, aided by the relation 
of divers marvellous feats, produced among the 
curious seamen who remained in the ship, and 
their more fortunate fellows, who had returned in 
glory from an expedition to the land. For nearly 
an hour the turbulence of a general movement 
was heard, issuing from the deep recesses of the 
frigate, and the boisterous sounds of hoarse mer- 
riment were listened to by the officers in indulgent 
silence ; but all these symptoms of unbridled hu- 
mour ceased by the time the morning repast 
was ended, when the regular sea-watch w r as set, 
and the greater portion of those whose duty did 
not require their presence on the vessel’s deck, 
availed themselves of the opportunity to repair the 
loss of sleep sustained in the preceding night. 
Still no preparations were made to put the ship in 
motion, though long and earnest consultations, 
which were supposed to relate to their future des- 


THE PILOT. 


509 


tiny, were observed by the younger officers, to be 
held between their captain, the first lieutenant, and 
the mysterious Pilot. The latter threw many an 
anxious glance along the eastern horizon, search- 
ing it minutely with his glass, and then would turn 
his impatient looks at the low, dense bank of fog, 
which, stretching across the ocean like a barrier 
of cloud, entirely intercepted the view towards 
the south. To the north and along the land, the 
air was clear, and the sea without a spot of any 
kind ; but in the east a small white sail had been 
discovered since the opening of day, which was 
gradually rising above the water, and assuming the 
appearance of a vessel of some size. Every offi- 
cer on the quarter-deck in his turn had examined 
this distant sail, and had ventured an opinion on 
its destination and character ; and even Katherine, 
who with her cousin was enjoying, in the open air, 
the novel beauties of the ocean, had been tempted 
to place her sparkling eye to a glass, to gaze at the 
stranger. 

“ It is a collier,” Griffith said, a who has hauled 
from the land in the late gale, and who is luffing 
up to his course again. If the wind holds here in 
the south, and he does not get into that fog bank, 
we can stand off for him and get a supply of fuel 
before eie:bt bells are striuk.” 

O 

“ I think his head is to the northward, and that 
he is steering off the wind,” returned the Pilot, in 
a musing manner. “ If that Dillon succeeded in 
getting his express far enough along the coast, the 
alarm has been spread, and we must be wary. 
The convoy of the Baltic trade is in the North 
Sea, and news of our presence could easily have 
been taken off to it by some of the cutters that line 
the coast — I could wish to get the ship as far south 
as the Helder !” * 


51Q 


THE PILOT. 


“ Then we lose this weather tide !” exclaimed 
the impatient Griffith ; u surely we have the cut- 
ter as a look-out ! besides, by beating into the fog, 
we shall lose the enemy, if enemy it be, and it is 
thought meet for an American frigate to skulk from 
her foes !” 

The scornful expression that kindled the eye of 
the Pilot, like a gleam of sunshine lighting for an 
instant some dark dell and laying bare its secrets, 
was soon lost in the usually quiet look of his 
glance, though he hesitated like one who was 
struggling with his passions, before he answered — 

u If prudence and the service of the States re- 
quire it, even this proud frigate must retreat and 
hide from the meanest of her enemies. My ad- 
vice, Captain Munson, is, that you make sail, and 
beat the ship to windward, as Mr. Griffith has sug- 
gested, and that you order the cutter to precede 
us, keeping more in with the land.” 

The aged seaman, who evidently suspended his 
orders, only to receive an intimation of the other’s 
pleasure, immediately commanded his youthful as- 
sistant to issue the necessary mandates to put these 
measures in force. Accordingly the Alacrity, 
which vessel had been left under the command of 
the junior lieutenant of the frigate, was quickly 
under way ; and making short stretches to wind- 
ward, she soon entered the bank of fog, and was 
lost to the eve. In the mean time the canvass of 
the ship was loosened, and spread leisurely, in or- 
der not to disturb the portion of the crew who 
were sleeping, and following her little consort, she 
moved heavily through the water, bearing up against 
the dull breeze. 

The quiet of regular duty had succeeded to the 
bustle of making sail, and as the rays of the sun 
fell less obliquely on the distant land, Katherine 


THE PILOT. 


51 i 

and Cecilia were amusing Griffith by vain attempts 
to point out the rounded eminences which they 
fancied lav in the vicinity of the deserted mansion 
of St. Ruth. Barnstable, who had resumed his 
former station in the frigate, as her second lieute- 
nant, was pacing the opposite side of the quarter- 
deck, holding under his arm the speaking trumpet, 
which denoted that he held the temporary control 
of the motions of the ship, and inwardly cursing 
the restraint that kept him from the side of his 
mistress. At this moment of universal quiet, when 
nothing above low dialogues interrupted the dash- 
ing of the waves as they were thrown lazily aside 
by the bows of the vessel, the report of a light 
cannon burst out of the barrier of fog, and rolled 
by them on the breeze, apparently vibrating with 
the rising and sinking of the waters. 

u There goes the cutter !” exclaimed Griffith, 
the instant the sound w r as heard. 

u Surely,” said the captain, u Somers is not so 
indiscreet as to scale his guns, after the caution he 
has received !” 

u No idle scaling of guns is intended there,” 
said *he Pilot, straining his eyes to pierce the fog, 
but soon turning away in disappointment at his in- 
ability to succeed — a that gun is shotted, and has 
been fired in the hurry of a sudden signal ! — can 
your look-outs see nothing, Mr. Barnstable ?” 

The lieutenant of the watch hailed the man 
aloft, and demanded if any thing w 7 ere visible in 
the direction of the wind, and received for answer, 
that the fog intercepted the view in that quarter 
of the heavens, but that the sail in the east was a 
ship, running large or before the wind. The Pi- 
lot shook his head doubtingly at this information, 
but still he manifested a strong reluctance to re- 
linquish the attempt of getting more to the south- 


512 


THE PILOT. 


ward. Again he communed with the commander 
of the frigate, apart from all other ears, and while 
they yet deliberated, a second report was heard, 
leaving no doubt but the Alacrity was firing signal 
guns for their particular attention. 

a Perhaps,” said Griffith, u he wishes to poini 
out his position, or to ascertain ours ; believing 
that we are lost like himself in the mist.” 

“ We have our compasses !” returned the doubt- 
ing captain ; u Somers has a meaning in what he 
says !” 

“ See !” cried Katherine, with girlish delight, 
u see, my cousin! see, Barnstable! how beautiful- 
ly that vapour is wreathing itself in clouds above 
the smoky line of fog ! It stretches already into 
the very heavens like a lofty pyramid !” 

Barnstable sprang lightly on a gun, as he re- 
peated her words — 

u Pyramids of fog ! and wreathing clouds ! By 
heaven !” he shouted, u ? tis a tall ship ! Royals, 
skysails, and studding sails all abroad ! She is 
within a mile of us, and comes down like a race 
horse, with a spanking breeze, dead before it ! 
Now know we why Somers is speaking in the 
mist !” 

“ Ay,” cried Griffith, u and there goes the 
Alacrity, just breaking out of the fog, hovering in 
for the land !” 

u There is a mighty hull under all that cloud 
of Canvass, Captain Munson,” said the observant 
but calm Pilot — “ it is time, gentlemen, to edge 
away to leeward.” 

“ What, before we know from whom we run !” 
cried Griffith ; “ my life on it, there is no single 
ship king George owns, but would tire of the 
sport before she had played a full game of bowls 
with — ” 


THE PI LOT. 


513 


The haughty air of the young man was daunted 
oy the severe look he encountered in the eye of 
the Pilot, and he suddenly ceased, though in- 
wardly chafing with impatient pride. 

“ The same eye that detected the canvass above 
the fog, might have seen the flag of a vice-admiral 
fluttering still nearer the heavens,” returned the 
collected stranger ; u and England, faulty as she 
may be, is yet too generous to place a flag-oflicer 
in time of war, in command of a frigate, or a cap- 
tain in command of a fleet. She knows the value 
of those who shed their blood in her behalf, and 
it is thus that she is so well served ! Believe me, 
Capt. Munson, there is nothing short of a ship of 
the line under that symbol of rank, and that broad 
show of canvass !” 

“ We shall see, sir, we shall see,” returned the 
old officer, whose manner grew decided, as the 
danger appeared to thicken ; “ beat to quarters, 
Mr. Griffith, for we have none but enemies to ex- 
pect on this coast.” 

The order was instantly issued, when Griffith 
remarked, with a more temperate zeal — 

u If Mr. Gray be right, we shall have reason to 
thank God that we are so light of heel !” 

The cry of u a strange vessel close aboard the 
frigate,” having already flown down the hatches, 
the ship was in an uproar at the first tap of the 
drum. The seamen threw themselves from their’ 
hammocks, and lashing them rapidly into long, 
hard bundles, they rushed to the decks, where they 
were dexterously stowed in the netting, to aid the 
defences of the uppei part of the vessel. While 
this tumultuous scene was exhibiting, Griffith gave 
a secret order to Merry, who disappeared, leading 
his trembling cousins to a place of safety in the in- 
most depths of the ship. 


514 


THE PILOT 


The guns were cleared of their lumber, and 
loosened. The bulk-heads were knocked down ; 
and the cabin relieved of its furniture, and the 
gun-deck exhibited one unbroken line of formidable 
cannon, arranged in all the order of a naval battery 
ready to engage. Arm chests were thrown open, 
and the decks strewed with pikes, cutlasses, pis- 
tols, and all the various weapons for boarding. 
In short, the yards were slung, and every other 
arrangement was made with a readiness and dex- 
terity that were actually wonderful, though all was 
performed amid an appearance of disorder and 
confusion that rendered the ship another Babel 
during the continuance of the preparations. Jn a 
very few minutes every thing was completed, and 
even the voices of the men ceased to be heard an- 
swering to their names, as they were mustered at 
their stations, by their respective officers. Gra- 
dually the ship became as quiet as the grave, and 
when even Griffith or his commander found it 
necessary to speak, their voices were calmer, and 
their tones more mild than usual. The course of 
the vessel was changed to an oblique line from 
that in which their enemy was approaching, 
though the appearance of flight was to be studi- 
ously avoided to the last moment. When nothing 
further remained to be done, every eye became 
fixed on the enormous pile of swelling canvass 
that was rising, in cloud over cloud, far above the 
fog, and which was manifestly moving, like driv- 
ing vapour, swdftly to the north. Presently the 
dull, smoky boundary of the mist which rested on 
the water, w as pushed aside in vast volumes, and 
the long taper spars that projected from the bow- 
sprit of the strange ship, issued from the obscu- 
rity, and w r ere quickly followed by the whole of 
the enormous fabric, to which they were mere- 


THE PILOT. 


515 


iy light appendages. For a moment, streaks of 
reluctant vapour clung to the huge, floating pile, 
but they weie soon shaken off by the rapid vessel, 
and the whole of her black hull became distinct to 
the eve. 

f 

u One, two, three rows of teeth !” said Bolt- 
rope, deliberately counting the tiers of guns that 
bristled along the sides of the enemy ; u a three- 
decker ! Jack Manly would show his stern to 
such a fellow^ ! and even the bloody Scotchman 
would run !” 

a Hard up with your helm, quarter-master !” 
cried Captain Munson ; u there is indeed no time 
to hesitate, with such an enemy within a quarter 
of a mile ! Turn the hands up, Mr. Griffith, and 
pack on the ship from her trucks to her low T er stud- 
ding-sail booms. Be stirring, sir, be stirring ! Hard 
up with your helm ! Hard up, and be damn’d to 
you !” 

The unusual earnestness of their aged com- 
mander acted on the startled crew like a voice 
from the deep, and they waited not for the usual 
signals of the boatswain and drummer to be given, 
before they broke away from their guns, and 
rushed tumultuously to aid in spreading the de- 
sired canvass. There was one minute of ominous 
confusion, that, to an inexperienced eye would 
have foreboded the destruction of all order in the 
vessel, during which every hand, and each tongue, 
seemed in motion ; but it ended with opening the 
immense folds of light duck which were displayed 
along the whole line of the masts, far beyond the 
ordinary sails, overshadowing the waters for a 
great distance, on either side of the vessel. Du- 
ring the moment of inaction that succeeded this 
sudden exertion, the breeze, which had brought 
up the three-decker, fell fresher on the sails of the 


516 


THE PILOT. 


frigate, and she started away from her dangerous 
enemy with a very perceptible advantage in point 
of sailing. 

“ The fog rises cried Griffith ; u give us but 
the wind for an hour, and we shall run her oui of 
gun-shot !” 

“ These Ninety’s are very fast off the wind 
returned the captain, in a low tone, that was in 
tended only for the ear of his first lieutenant 
and the Pilot, “ and we shall have a struggle for 
it.” 

The quick eye of the stranger was glancing 
ovei the movements of his enemy, while he an- 
swered — 

u He finds we have the heels of him already ! 
he is making ready, and we shall be fortunate tc 
escape a broadside ! Let her yaw a little, Mr. 
Griffith ; touch her lightly with the helm ; if we 
are raked, sir, we are lost !” 

The captain sprang on the taffrail of his ship 
with the activity of a younger man, and in an in- 
stant he perceived the truth of the other’s conjec- 
ture. 

Both vessels now ran for a few minutes, keenly 
watching each other’s motions like two skilful 
combatants ; the English ship making slight devia- 
tions from the line of her course, and then, as her 
movements were anticipated by the other, turn- 
ing as cautiously in the opposite direction, until a 
sudden and wide sweep of her huge bows, told the 
Americans plainly on which tack to expect her. 
Captain Munson made a silent, but impressive 
gesture with his arm, as if the crisis were too im- 
portant for speech, which indicated to the watch- 
ful Griffith, the way he wushed the frigate sheered, 
to avoid the weight of the impending danger. Both 
vessels whirled swiftly up to the wind, with their 


THE PILOT. 


517 




* 


heads towards the land, and as the huge black 
side of the three-decker, checkered with its triple 
batteries, frowned full upon her foe, it belched 
forth a flood of fire and smoke, accompanied by a 
bellowing roar that mocked the surly meanings of 
the sleeping ocean. The nerves of the bravest 
man in the frigate contracted their fibres, as the 
hurricane of iron hurtled by them, and each eye 
appeared to gaze in stupid wonder, as if tracing the 
flight of the swift engines of destruction. But the 
voice of Captain Munson was heard in the din, 
shouting while he waved his hat earnestly in the 
required direction — 

u Meet her ! meet her with the helm, boy ! meet 
her, Mr. Griffith, meet her !” 

Griffith had so far anticipated this movement, as 
to have already ordered the head of the frigate 
turned in its former course, when struck by the 
unearthly cry of the last tones uttered by his com- 
mander, he bent his head, and beheld the venera- 
ble seaman driven through the air, his hat still 
waving, his gray hair floating in the wind, and his 

eve set in the wild look of death. 

* 

u Great God !” exclaimed the young man, 
rushing to the side of the ship, where he was just 
in time to see the lifeless body disappear in the 
waters that were dyed in its blood ; u he has 
been struck by a shot ! Lower-away the boat, 
lower-away the jolly-boat, the barge, the tiger, 
the—” 

u ’Tis useless,” interrupted the calm deep voice 
of the Pilot ; u he has met a warrior’s end, and he 
sleeps in a sailor’s grave ! The ship is getting be- 
fore the wind again, and the enemy is keeping his 
vessel away.” 

The youthful lieutenant was recalled by these 

44 


518 


THE PILOT. 


words to his duty, and reluctantly turned his eyes 
away from the bloody spot on the dark waters, 
which the busy frigate had already passed, to re- 
sume the command of the vessel with a forced 
composure. 

“ He has cut some of our running gear,” said 
the master, whose eye had never ceased to dwell 
on the spars and rigging of the ship, “ and there’s 
a splinter out of the main-top-mast, that is big 
enough for a fid ! He has let day-light through some 
of our canvass too, but taking it by-and-large, the 
squall has gone over and little harm done. — 
Didn’t I hear something said of Capt. Munson 
getting jamm’d by a shot ?” 

u He is killed !” — said Griffith, speaking in a 
voice that was yet husky w 7 ith horror — u he is 
dead, sir, and carried overboard ; there is more 
need that we forget not ourselves, in this crisis.” 
u Dead !” said Boltrope, suspending the opera- 
tion of his active jaws for a moment, in surprise ; 
u and buried in a wet jacket ! well, it is lucky ’tis 
no w 7 orse, for, damme if I did not think every 
stick in the ship would have been cut out of 
her !” 

With this consolatory remark on his lips, the 
master w 7 alked slowdy forward, continuing bis or- 
ders to repair the damages with a singleness of 
purpose that rendered him, however uncouth as a 
friend, an invaluable man in his station. 

Griffith had not yet brought his mind to the 
calmness that w 7 as so essential to discharge the 
duties which had thus suddenly and awfully de- 
volved on him, when his elbow 7 w T as lightly touch- 
ed by the Pilot, who had draw 7 n closer to his 
side — 

a The enemy appear satisfied with the expert- 


THE PILOT. 


519 


ment,” said the stranger, “ and as we work the 
quicker of the two, he loses too much ground to 
repeat it, if he be a true seaman.” 

u And yet as he finds we leave him so fast,” 
returned Griffith, “he must see that all his hopes 
rest in cutting us up aloft. I dread that he will 
come by the wind again, and lay us under his 
broadside ; we should need a quarter of an hour to 
run without his range, if he were anchored !” 

“ He plays a surer game — see you not that the 
vessel we made in the eastern board shows the 
hull of a frigate ? ’Tis past a doubt that they are 
of one squadron, and that the expresses have sent 
them in our wake. The English admiral has 
spread a broad clew, Mr. Griffith, and as he ga- 
thers in his ships, he sees that his game has been 
successful.” 

The faculties of Griffith had been too much oc- 
cupied with the hurry of the chase to look at the 
ocean ; but startled at the information of the Pi- 
lot, who spoke coolly, though like a man sensible 
of the existence of approaching danger, he took 
the glass from the other, and with his own eye ex- 
amined the different vessels in sight. It is certain 
that the experienced officer, whose flag was flying 
above the light sails of the three-decker, saw the 
critical situation of his chase, and reasoned much 
in the same manner as the Pilot, or the fearful 
expedient apprehended by Griffith would have 
been adopted. Prudence, however, dictated that 
he should prevent his enemy from escaping by 
pressing so closely on his rear, as to render it im- 
possible for the American to haul across his bows 
and run into the open sea between his own vessel 
and the nearest frigate of his squadron. The 
unpractised reader will be able to comprehend 
the ease better by accompanying the understand- 


520 


THE PILOT. 


ing eye of Griffith as it glanced from point to 
point, following the wffiole horizon. To the west 
lay the land, along which the Alacrity was urging 
her way industriously, with the double purpose 
of keeping her consort abeam, and of avoiding 
a dangerous proximity to their powerful ene- 
my. To the east, bearing off the starboard bow 
of the American frigate, was the vessel first seen, 
and which now began to exhibit the hostile ap- 
pearance of a ship of w r ar, steering in a line con- 
verging towards themselves, and rapidly drawing 
nigher ; while far in the north-east, was a vessel 
as yet faintly discerned, whose evolutions could 
not be mistaken by one who understood the move- 
ments of nautical warfare. 

u We are hemmed in effectually,” said Griffith, 
dropping the glass from his eye ; u and I know not 
but our wisest course would be to haul in to the 
land, and cutting every thing light adrift, endea- 
vour to pass the broadside of the flag-ship ?” 

“ Provided she left a rag of canvass to do it 
with !” returned the Pilot. u Sir, ? tis an idle 
hope ! She would strip your ship in ten minutes, 
to her plank shears. Had it not been for a lucky 
wave on which so many of her shot struck and 
glanced upward, w T e should have had nothing to 
boast of left from the fire she has already given ; 
we must stand on, and drop the three-decker as 
far as possible.” 

u But the frigates ?” said Griffith, u what are w T e 
to do with the frigates ?” 

u Fight them !” returned the Pilot, in a low 
determined voice, a fight them ! Young man, I have 
Dome the stars and stripes aloft in greater straits 
than this, and even with honour ! Think not that 
my fortune will desert me now !” 

u We shall have an hour of desperate battle 


THE PILOT. 


521 


a On that we may calculate ; but I have lived 
through whole days of bloodshed ! you seem not 
one to quail at the sight of an enemy.” 

“ Let me proclaim your name to the men !” 
said Griffith; “’twill quicken their blood, and at 
such a moment, be a host in itself.” 

“ They want it not,” returned the Pilot, check- 
ing the hasty zeal of the other with his hand. “ 3 
would be unnoticed, unless I am known as becomes 
me. I will share your danger, but would not rob 
you of a tittle of your glory. Should we come to 
a grapple,” he continued, while a smile of con 
scious pride gleamed across his face, “ I will give 
forth the word as a war-cry, and, believe me, these 
English will quail before it !” 

Griffith submitted to the stranger’s will, and 
after they had deliberated further on the nature of 
their evolutions, he gave his attention again to the 
management of the vessel. The first object which 
met his eye on turning from the Pilot was Colonel 
Howard, pacing the quarter-deck with a deter- 
mined brow and a haughty mien, as if already in 
the enjoyment of that triumph winch now seemed 
certain. 

“ I fear, sir,” said the young man, approaching 
him with respect, “ that you will soon find the 
deck unpleasant and dangerous : your wards 

are — ” 

u Mention not the unworthy term !” interrupted 
the colonel. “ What greater pleasure can there be 
than to inhale the odour of loyalty that is wafted 
from yonder floating tower of the king ! — And dan- 
ger ! you know but little of old George Howard, 
young man, if you think he w'ould for thousands 
miss seeing that symbol of rebellion levelled be- 
fore the flag of his Majesty.” 

“ If that be your wish, Colonel Howard,” re~ 


522 


THE PILOT. 


«»>v t 

x 

turned Griffith, biting his lip as he looked around 
at the wondering seamen who were listeners, 
“ you will wait in vain — but I pledge you my 
word, that when that time arrives, you shall be ad- 
vised, and that your own hands shall do the igno 
ble deed.” 

u Edward Griffith, why not this moment? This 
is your moment of probation — submit to the cle- 
mency of the crown, and yield your crew to the 
loyal mercy ! In such a case I would remember the 
child of my brother Harry’s friend ; and believe 
me, my name is known to the ministry. And you, 
misguided and ignorant abettors of rebellion ! cast 
aside your useless weapons, or prepare to meet 
the vengeance of yonder powerful and victorious 
servant of your prince.” 

a Fall back ! back with ye, fellows !” cried Grif- 
fith, fiercely, to the men who were gathering around 
the colonel, with looks of sullen vengeance. “ If 
a man of you dare approach him, he shall be cast 
into the sea.” 

The sailors retreated at the order of their com- 
mander ; but the elated veteran had continued to 
pace the deck for many minutes before stronger in- 
terests diverted the angry glances of the seamen 
to other objects. 

Notwithstanding the ship of the line was slowly 
sinking beneath the distant waves, and in less than 
an hour from the time she had fired the broadside, 
no more than one of her three tiers of guns was 
visible from the deck of the frigate, she yet pre- 
sented an irresistible obstacle against retreat to the 
south. On the other hand the ship first seen, 
drew so nigh as to render the glass no longer ne- 
cessary in watching her movements. She proved 
to be a frigate, though one so materially lighter 
than the American, as to have rendered her con- 


THE PILOT. 


523 


quest easy, had not her two consorts continued tc 
press on for the scene of battle with such rapidity. 
During the chase the scene had shifted from the 
point opposite to St. Ruth, to the verge of those 
shoals where our tale commenced. As they ap- 
proached the latter, the smallest of the English 
ships drew so nigh as to render the combat una- 
voidable. Griffith and his crew had not been idle 
in the intermediate time, but all the usual prepara- 
tions against the casualties of a sea-fight had been 
duly made, when the drum once more called the 
men to their quarters, and the ship was deliberate- 
ly stripped of her unnecessary sails, like a prize- 
fighter about to enter the arena, casting aside the 
incumbrances of dress. At the instant she gave 
this intimation of her intention to abandon flight, 
and trust the issue to the combat, the nearest Eng- 
lish frigate also took in her light canvass in token 
of her acceptance of the challenge. 

“ He is but a little fellow,” said Griffith to the 
Pilot, who hovered at his elbow with a sort of fa- 
therly interest in the other’s conduct of the battle, 
u though he carries a stout heart.” 

“ We must crush him at a blow,” returned the 
stranger; “not a shot must be delivered until our 
yards are locking.” 

“ I see him training his twelves upon us already; 
we may soon expect his fire.” 

u After standing the brunt of a Ninety-gun- 
ship,” observed the collected Pilot, “ we shall not 
shrink from the broadside of a Two-and-thirty.” 

“ Stand to your guns, men !” cried Griffith, 
through his trumpet — “ not a shot is to be fired 
without the order.” 

This caution, so necessary to check the ardour 
of the seamen, was hardly uttered, before their 
enemy became wrapped in sheets of fire and vo- 


524 


THE PILOT. 


lumes of smoke, as gun after gun hurled its iron 
missiles at their vessel in quick succession. Ten 
minutes might have passed, the two vessels sheer- 
ing closer to each other every foot they advanced, 
during which time the crew of the American were 
compelled, by their commander, to suffer the fire 
of their adversary, without returning a shot. This 
short period, which seemed an age to the seamen, 
was distinguished in their vessel by deep silence. 
Even the wounded and dying, who fell in every 
part of the ship, stifled their groans, under the in- 
fluence of the severe discipline, which gave a cha- 
racter to every man and each movement of the 
vessel, and those officers who were required to 
speak, were heard only in the lowest tones of re- 
solute preparation. At length the ship slowly en- 
tered the skirts of the smoke that enveloped their 
enemy ; and Griffith heard the man who stood at 
his side whisper the word u now.” 

u Let them have it !” cried Griffith, in a voice 
that was heard in the remotest parts of the 
ship. 

The shout that burst from the seamen, appeared 
to lift the decks of the vessel, and the affrighted 
frigate trembled like an aspen, with the recoil of 
her own massive artillery, that shot forth a single 
sheet of flame, the sailors having disregarded, in 
their impatience, the usual order of firing. The 
effect of the broadside on the enemy was still more 
dreadful, for a death-like silence succeeded to the 
roar of the guns, which was only broken by the 
shrieks and execrations that burst from her, like 
the moanings of the damned. During the few mo- 
ments in which the Americans were again loading 
their cannon, and the English were recovering from 
their confusion, the vessel of the former moved 
slowly past her antagonist, and was already dou- 


THE PILOT. 


525 


bling across her bows., when the latter was such 
denly, and, considering the inequality of theii 
forces, it may be added desperately, headed into 
her enemy. The two frigates grappled. The 
sudden and furious charge made by the English- 
man, as he threw his masses of daring seamen 
along his bowsprit, and out of his channels, had 
nearly taken Griffith by surprise ; but Manual, who 
had delivered his first fire with the broadside, now 
did good service, by ordering his men to beat back 
the intruders, by a steady and continued discharge. 
Even the wary Pilot lost sight of their other foes, 
in the high daring of that moment, and smiles of 
stern pleasure were exchanged between him and 
Griffith, as both comprehended at a glance their 
advantages. 

u Lash his bowsprit to our mizzen-mast,” shout- 
ed the lieutenant, u and we will sweep his decks 
as he lies !” 

Twenty men sprang eagerly forward to execute 
the order, among the foremost of whom were Bolt- 
rope and the stranger. 

“ Ay, now he’s our own !” cried the busy mas- 
ter, u and w T e will take an owner’s liberties with 
him, and break him up — for by the eternal — ” 

“ Peace, rude man,” said the Pilot, in a voice 
of solemn remonstrance ; “ at the next instant 
you may face your God ; mock not his awful 
name !” 

The master found time, before he threw him- 
self from the spar on the deck of the frigate again, 
to cast a look of amazement at his companion, who, 
with a steady mien, but with an eye that lighted 
with a warrior’s ardour, viewed the battle that 
raged around him, like one who marked its pro- 
gress to control the result. 

The sight of the Englishmen, rushing onward 


526 


THE PILOT. 


with shouts, and bitter menaces, warmed the blood 
of Colonel Howard, who pressed to the side of the 
frigate, and encouraged his friends, by his gestures 
and voice, to come on. 

u Away with ye, old croaker !” cried the mas- 
ter, seizing him by the collar ; “ away with ye to 
the hold, or I’ll order you fired from a gun.” 
u Down with your arms, rebellious dog !” shout- 
ed the colonel, carried beyond himself by the ar- 
dour of the fray ; u down to the dust, and implore 
the mercy of your injured prince !” 

Invigorated by a momentary glow, the veteran 
grappled with his brawny antagonist, but the issue 
of the short struggle was yet suspended, when the 
English, driven back by the fire of the marines, 
and the menacing front that Griffith with his board- 
ers presented, retreated to the forecastle of their 
own ship, and attempted to return the deadly 
blows they were receiving, in their hull, from the 
cannon that Barnstable directed. A solitary gun 
was all they could bring to bear on the Ameri- 
cans ; but this, loaded with cannister, was fired so 
near as to send its glaring flame into the very faces 
of their enemies. The struggling colonel, who 
was already sinking beneath the arm of his foe, 
felt the rough grasp loosen from his throat, at the 
flash, and the two combatants sunk powerless on 
their knees, facing each other. 

u How now, brother !” exclaimed Boltrope. 
with a smile of grim fierceness ; u some of that 
grist has gone to your mill, ha !” 

No answer could, however, be given before the 
yielding forms of both fell to the deck, where they 
lay helpless, amid the din of the battle and the 
wild confusion of the eager combatants. 

Notwithstanding the furious struggle they wit- 
nessed, the elements did not cease their functions; 


THE PILOT. 


527 


and urged by ihe breeze, and lifted irresistibly on 
a wave, the American ship was forced through the 
water still further across the bow T s of her enemy. 
The idle fastenings of hemp and iron were snap- 
ped asunder, like strings of tow, and Griffith saw 
his own ship borne away from the Englishman at 
the instant that the bowsprit of the latter was torn 
from its lashings, and tumbled into the sea, fol- 
lowed by spar after spar, until nothing of all her 
proud tackling was remaining, but the few parted 
and useless ropes that were left dangling along the 
stumps of her lower masts. As his own stately 
vessel moved from the confusion she had caused, 
and left the dense cloud of smoke in which her 
helpless antagonist lay, the eye of the young man 
glanced anxiously towards the horizon, where 
he now remembered he had more foes to contend 
against. 

“ We have shaken off the Thirty-two most hap- 
pily !” he said to the Pilot, who followed his mo- 
tions with singular interest ; u but here is another 
fellow r sheering in for us, who shows as many ports 
as ourselves, and who appears inclined for a closer 
interview ; besides the hull of the Ninety is rising 
again, and I fear she will be dow n but too soon !” 

“ We must keep the use of our braces and sails,’ 5 
returned the Pilot, u and on no account close with 
the other frigate — w r e must play a double game, 
sir, and fight this new adversary with our heels as 
well as with our guns.” 

“ ’Tis time then that w r e were busy, for he is 
shortening sail, and as he nears so fast we may ex- 
pect to hear from him every minute ; what do you 
propose, sir ?” 

u Let him gather in his canvass,” returned the 
Pilot, u and when he thinks himself snug, we can 
throw 7 out a hundred men at once upon our yards 


528 


THE PILOT. 


and spread every thing alow and aloft ; we may 
then draw ahead of him by surprise ; if we can 
once get him in our wake I have no fears of drop- 
ping them all.’ 5 

u A stern chase is a long chase,” cried Griffith, 
u and the thing may do ! Clear up the decks, 
here, and carry down the wounded ; and as we 
have our hands full, the poor fellows who have 
done with us, must go overboard at once.” 

This melancholy duty was instantly attended to, 
while the young seaman who commanded the fri- 
gate returned to his duty, with the absorbed air 
of one who felt its high responsibility. These oc- 
cupations, however, did not prevent his hearing 
the sounds of Barnstable’s voice calling eagerly to 
young Merry. Bending his head towards the 
sound, Griffith beheld his friend, looking anxiously 
up the main hatch, with a face grimed with smoke, 
his coat off, and his shirt bespattered with human 
blood — tc Tell me, boy,” he said, u is Mr. Griffith 
untouched ? They say that a shot came in upon 
the quarter-deck that tripped up the heels of half 
a dozen.” 

Before Merry could answer, the eyes of Barn- 
stable, which even while he spoke were scanning 
the state of the vessel’s rigging, encountered the 
kind looks of Griffith, and from that moment per- 
fect harmony was restored between the friends. 

u Ah ! you are there, Griff, and with a whole 
skin, I see,” cried Barnstable, smiling w 7 ith plea- 
sure ; u they have passed poor Boltrope down into 
one of his own store-rooms ! If that fellow’s bow- 
sprit had held on ten minutes longer, what a mark 
I should have made on his face and eyes !” 

u ’Tis perhaps best as it is,” returned Griffith , 
u but what have you done with those whom we 
are most bound to protect ?” 


THE PILOT. 


529 


Barnstable made a significant gesture towards 
the depths of the vessel as he answered — 

“ On the cables ; safe as wood, iron, and water 
can keep them — though Katherine has had her 
head up three times to — ” 

A summons from the Pilot drew Griffith away, 
and the young officers were compelled to forget 
their individual feelings, in the pressing duties of 
their stations. 

The ship which the American frigate had now 
to oppose, was a vessel of near her own size and 
equipage, and when Griffith looked at her again, 
he perceived that she had made her preparations 
to assert her equality in manful fight. 

Her sails had been gradually reduced to the 
usual quantity, and, by certain movements on her 
decks, the lieutenant and his constant attendant 
the Pilot, well understood that she only wanted to 
lessen her distance a few hundred yards to begin 
the action. 

u Now spread, every thing,” whispered the 
stranger. 

Griffith applied the trumpet to his mouth, and 
shouted in a voice that was carried even to his 
enemy — u Let fall — out with your booms — sheet 
home — hoist away of every thing !” 

The inspiriting cry was answered by a univer- 
sal bustle ; fifty men flew out on the dizzy heights 
of the different spars, while broad sheets of can- 
vass rose as suddenly along the masts, as if some 
mighty bird were spreading its wings.. The Eng- 
lishman instantly perceived his mistake, and he 
answered the artifice by a roar of artillery. Grif- 
fith watched the effects of the broadside with an 
absorbing interest as the shot whistled above his 
head, but when he perceived his masts untouched 


530 


THE PILOT. 


and the few unimportant ropes only that were cut, 
he replied to the uproar with a burst of pleasure, 
A few men were however seen clinging with wild 
frenzy to the cordage, dropping from rope to rope 
like wounded birds fluttering through a tree, until, 
they fell heavily into the ocean, the sullen ship 
sweeping by them, in cold indifference. At the 
next instant the spars and masts of their enemy 
exhibited a display of men similar to their own, 
when Griffith again placed the trumpet to his 
mouth, and shouted aloud : 

u Give it to them ; drive them from their yards, 
boys ; scatter them with your grape — unreeve 
their rigging !” 

The crew of the American wanted but little en- 
couragement to enter on this experiment with 
hearty good will, and the close of his cheering 
words were uttered amid the deafening roar of his 
own cannon. The Pilot had, however, mistaken 
the skill and readiness of their foe, for notwith- 
standing the disadvantageous circumstances under 
which the Englishman increased his sail, the duty 
was steadily and dexterously performed. 

The tw r o ships were now running rapidly on 
parallel lines, hurling at each other their instru- 
ments of destruction, with furious industry, and 
w r ith severe and certain loss to both, though with 
no manifest advantage in favour of either. Both 
Griffith and the Pilot witnessed with deep con- 
cern this unexpected defeat of their hopes, for they 
could not conceal from themselves, that each mo- 
ment lessened their velocity through the water, 
as the shot of their enemy stripped the canvass 
from the yards, or dashed aside the lighter spars 
in their terrible progress. 

u We find oui equal here !” said Griffith to the 


THE PILOT. 


531 


stranger u The Ninety is heaving up again like 
a mountain, and if we continue to shorten sail at 
this rate, she will soon be down upon us !” 

u You say true, sir,” returned the Pilot, mus- 
ing ; u the man shows judgment as well as spirit ; 
but — ” 

He was interrupted by Merry, who rushed from 
the forward part of the vessel, his whole face be- 
tokening the eagerness of his spirit, and the im- 
portance of his intelligence — 

u The breakers I” he cried, when nigh enough 
to be heard amid the din ; “ we are running dead 
on a ripple, and the sea is white not two hundred 
yards ahead ?” 

The Pilot jumped on a gun, and bending to 
catch a glimpse through the smoke, he shouted, 
in those clear, piercing tones, that could be even 
heard among the roaring of the cannon. “ Port, 
port your helm ! we are on the Devil’s Grip ! pass 
up the trumpet, sir; port your helm, fellow; give 
it them, boys — give it to the proud English dogs !” 
Griffith unhesitatingly relinquished the symbol of 
his rank, fastening his own firm look on the calm 
but quick eye of the Pilot, and gathering assurance 
from the high confidence he read in the counte- 
nance of the stranger. The seamen were too busy 
with their cannon and their rigging to regard the 
new danger, and the frigate entered one of the 
dangerous passes of the shoals, in the heat of a se- 
verely contested battle. The wondering looks 
of a few of the older sailors glanced at the sheets 
of foam that flew by them, in doubt whether the 
wild gambols of the waves were occasioned by the 
shot of the enemy, when suddenly the noise of 
cannon was succeeded by the sullen wash of the 
disturbed element, and presently the vessel glided 
out of her smoky shroud, and was boldly steering 


532 


THE PILOT. 


in the centre of the narrow passages. For ten 
breathless minutes longer the Pilot continued to 
hold an uninterrupted sway, during which the ves 
sel ran swiftly by ripples and breakers, by streaks 
of foam and darker passages of deep water, when 
he threw down his trumpet and exclaimed — 
u What threatened to be our destruction has 
proved our salvation ! — keep yonder hill crowned 
with wood, one point open from the church tower 
at its base, and steer east and by north ; you will 
run through these shoals on that course in an hour, 
and by so doing, you will gain five leagues of your 
enemy, who will have to double their tail.” 

The moment he stepped from the gun, the Pilot 
lost the air of authority that had so singularly dis- 
tinguished his animated form, and even the close 
interest he had manifested in the incidents of the 
day became lost in the cold, settled reserve he 
had affected during his intercourse with his pre- 
sent associates. Every officer in the ship, after 
the breathless suspense of uncertainty had passed, 
rushed to those places where a view might be 
taken of their enemies. The Ninety was still 
steering boldly onward, and had already ap- 
proached the Two-and-thirty, which lay a help- 
less wreck, rolling on the unruly seas that were 
rudely tossing her on their wanton billows. The 
frigate last engaged was running along the edge of 
the ripple, with her torn sails dying loosely in the 
air, her ragged spars tottering in the breeze, and 
every thing above her hull exhibiting the confu- 
sion of a sudden and unlooked-for check to her 
progress. The exulting taunts and mirthful con- 
gratulations of the seamen, as they gazed at the 
English ships, were, however, soon forgotten in the 
attention that was required to their own vessel. 
The drums beat the retreat, the guns were lashed 


THE PILOT. 


533 


the wounded again removed, and every individual 
able to keep the deck was required to lend his as- 
sistance in repairing the damages of the frigate and 
securing her masts. 

The promised hour carried the ship safely 
through all the dangers, which were much lessen- 
ed by day-light, and by the time the sun had begun 
to fall over the land, Griffith, who had not quitted 
the deck during the day, beheld his vessel once 
more cleared of the confusion of the chase and bat- 
tle, and ready to meet another foe. At this period 
he was summoned to the cabin, at the request of 
the ship’s chaplain. Delivering the charge of the 
frigate to Barnstable, who had been his active as- 
sistant, no less in their subsequent labours than in 
the combat, he hastily divested himself of the ves- 
tiges of the fight, and proceeded to obey the re- 
peated and earnest call. 

45 * 


CHAPTER XXXTTT. 


Whither, ’midst falling dew, 

While glows the heavens with the last steps of da£ 
Far, through their rosy depths dost thou pursue 
Thy solitary way i 

Bryant 


When the young seaman, w T ho now commanded 
the frigate, descended from the quarter-deck in 
compliance with the often repeated summons, he 
found the vessel restored to the same neatness as 
if nothing had occurred to disturb its order. The 
gun-deck had been cleansed of its horrid stains, 
and the smoke of the fight had long since ascended 
through the hatches, and mingled with the clouds 
that flitted above the ship. As he walked along the 
silent batteries, even the urgency of his visit 
could not prevent him from glancing his eyes to- 
wards the splintered sides, those terrible Vestiges, 
by which the paths of the shot of their enemy 
might be traced ; and by the time he tapped light- 
ly at the door of the cabin, his quick look had em- 
braced every material injury the vessel had sus- 
tained in her principal points of defence. The door 
was opened by the surgeon of the frigate, who, as 
he stepped aside to permit Griffith to enter, shook 
his head with that air of meaning, which, in one of 
his profession, is understood to imply the abandon- 
ment of all hopes, and then immediately quitted 


t 


THE PILOT. 


535 


the apartment, in order to attend to those who 
might profit by his services. 

The reader is not to imagine that Griffith had 
lost sight of Cecilia and her cousin during the oc- 
currences of that eventful day ; on the contrary, 
his troubled fancy had presented her terror and 
distress, even in the hottest moments of the fight, 
and the instant that the crew were called from 
their guns, he had issued an order to replace the 
bulk-heads of the cabin, and to arrange its furni- 
ture for their accommodation, though the higher 
and imperious duties of his station had precluded 
his attending to their comfort in person. He ex- 
pected, therefore, to find the order of the rooms 
restored, but he was by no means prepared to en- 
counter the scene he was now to witness. 

Between two of the sullen cannon, which gave 
such an air of singular wildness to the real com- 
fort of the cabin, was placed a large couch, on 
which the Colonel was lying, evidently near his 
end. Cecilia was weeping by his side, her dark 
ringlets falling in unheeded confusion around her 
pale features, and sweeping in their rich exube- 
rance the deck on which she kneeled. Katherine 
leaned tenderly over the form of the dying vete- 
ran, while her dark, tearful eyes seemed to ex- 
press self-accusation blended with deep commise- 
ration. A few attendants of both sexes surround- 
ed the solemn scene, all of whom appeared to be 
tinder the influence of the hopeless intelligence 
wmch the medical officer had but that moment 
communicated. The servants of the ship had re- 
placed the furniture with a care that mocked the 
dreadful struggle that so recently disfigured the 
warlike apartment, and the stout, square frame of 
Boltrope occupied the opposite settee, his head 
resting on the lap of the Captain’s Steward, and 


53(5 


THE PILOT. 


his hand gently held in the grasp of his friend the 
Chaplain. Griffith had heard of the wound of the 
master, but his own eyes now conveyed the first 
intelligence of the situation of Colonel Howard. 
When the shock of this sudden discovery had a 
iittle subsided, the young man approached the 
couch of the latter, and attempted to express his 
regret and pity, in a voice that afforded an assu- 
rance of his sincerity. 

u Say no more, Edward Griffith,’ 5 interrupted 
the colonel, waving his hand feebly for silence ; 
u it seemeth to be the will of God that this rebel- 
lion should triumph, and it is not for vain man to 
impeach the acts of Omnipotence ! To my erring 
faculties, it wears an appearance of mystery, but 
doubtless it is to answer the purpose of his own 
inscrutable providence ! I have sent for you, Ed- 
ward, on a business that I would fain see accom- 
plished before I die, that it may not be said old 
George Howard neglected his duty, even in his 
last moments. You see this weeping child at my 
side ; tell me, young man, do you love the maid- 
en ?” 

“ Am I to be asked such a question !” exclaim- 
ed Griffith. 

“ And will you cherish her — will you supply to 
her the places of father and mother, will you be- 
come the fond guardian of her innocence and 
weakness ?” 

Griffith could give no other answer than a fer- 
vent pressure of the hand he had clasped. 

u I believe you,” continued the dying man ; 
u for however he may have forgotten to inculcate 
his own loyalty, worthy Hugh Griffith could ne- 
ver neglect to make his son a man of honour. I 
had weak, and perhaps evil wishes in behalf of my 
late unfortunate kinsman, Mr. Christopher Dillon; 


THE PILOT. 


537 


but they have told me that he was false to his 
faith. If this be true, I would refuse him the hand 
of the girl, though he claimed the fealty of the 
British realms ! But he has passed away, and I am 
about to follow him into a world where we shall 
find but one Lord to serve, and it may have been 
better for us both had we more remembered our 
duty to Him, while serving the Princes of the 
earth. One thing further — -know you this officer 
of your congress well ; this Mr. Barnstable ?” 

“ I have sailed with him for years,” returned 
Griffith, “ and can answer for him as myself.” 
The veteran made an effort to rise, which in 
part succeeded, and he fastened on the youth a 
look of keen scrutiny, that gave to his pallid fea- 
tures an expression of solemn meaning, as he con- 
tinued — 

“ Speak not now, sir, as the companion of his 
idle pleasures, and as the unthinking associate 
commends his fellow, but remember that your opi- 
nion is given to a dying man who leans on your 
j udgment for advice. The daughter of J ohn Plow- 
den is a trust not to be neglected, nor will my 
death prove easy, if a doubt of her being worthily 
bestowed shall remain I” 

“He is a gentleman,” returned Griffith, “ and 
one whose heart is not less kind than gallant — he 
loves your ward, and great as may be her merits, 
he is deserving of it all — like myself, he has also 
loved the land that gave him birth, before the land 
of his ancestors, but — •” 

“ That is now forgotten,” interrupted the colo- 
nel ; “ after what I have this day witnessed I am 
forced to believe that it is the pleasure of Heaven 
that you are to prevail ! But, sir, a disobedient in- 
ferior will be apt to make an unreasonable com- 
mander. The recent contention between you — ” 


538 


THE PIJLOT. 


“ Remember it not, clear sir,” exclaimed Grif 
fith with generous zeal — “ ? twas unkindly pro 
voked, and it is already forgotten and pardoned. 
He has sustained me nobly throughout the day, 
and my life on it, that he knows how to treat a 
woman as a brave man should !” 

u Then am I content !” said the veteran, sinking 
back on his couch ; u let him be summoned.” 

The whispered message, which Griffith gave re- 
questing Mr. Barnstable to enter the cabin, w as 
quickly conveyed, and he had appeared before his 
friend deemed it discreet to disturb the reflections 
of the veteran by again addressing him. When 
the entrance of the young sailor was announced, 
he colonel again roused himself, and addressed 
iiis w r ondering listener, though in a manner much 
less confiding and familiar than that which he had 
adopted towards Griffith. 

u The declarations you made last night relative 
to my w r ard, the daughter of the late Captain John 
Flowden, sir, have left me nothing to learn on the 
subject of your wishes. Here, then, gentlemen, 
you both obtain the reward of your attentions ! 
Let that reverend divine hear you pronounce the 
marriage vows, while I have strength to listen, 
that 1 may be a witness against ye, in heaven, 
should ye forget their tenor !” 

u Not now, not now,” murmured Cecilia ; u Oh 
ask it not nowq my uncle !” 

Katherine spoke not, but deeply touched by the 
tender interest her guardian manifested in her 
welfare, she bow 7 ed her face to her bosom, in sub- 
dued feeling, and suffered the tears that had been 
suffusing her eyes to roll down her cheeks in 
large drops, till they bathed the deck. 

“ Yes, now, my love,” continued the colonel, 
H or 1 fail in my duty. 1 go shortly to stand face 


THE PILOT. 


539 


to face with your parents, my children ; for the 
man, who dying, expects not to meet worthy 
Hugh Griffith and honest Jack Plowden in heaven, 
can have no clear view of the rewards that belong 
to lives of faithful service to the country, or of gal- 
lant loyalty to the King ! I trust no one can just- 
ly say, that I ever forgot the delicacy due to your 
gentle sex ; but it is no moment for idle ceremony 
when time is shortening into minutes, and heavy 
duties remain to be discharged. I could not die 
in peace, children, were I to leave you here in the 
wide ocean, I had almost said in the wide world, 
without that protection which becomes your ten- 
der years, and still more tender characters. If it 
has pleased God to remove your guardian, let his 
place be supplied by those he wills to succeed 
him ! 5? 

Cecilia no longer hesitated, but she arose slow- 
ly from her knees, and offered her hand to Griffith 
with an air of forced resignation. Katherine sub- 
mitted to be led by Barnstable to her side, and 
the chaplain who had been an affected listener to 
the dialogue, in obedience to an expressive signal 
from the eye of Griffith, opened the prayer book 
from which he had been gleaning consolation for 
the dying master, and commenced reading, in trem- 
bling tones, the marriage service. The vows 
were pronounced by the weeping brides in voices 
more distinct and audible than if they had been 
uttered amid the gay crowds that usually throng a 
bridal ; for though they were the irreclaimable 
words that bound them for ever to the men, whose 
pow r er over their feelings they thus proclaimed to 
the world, the reserve of maiden diffidence was 
lost in one engrossing emotion of solemnity, cre- 
ated by the awful presence in which they stood. 
When the benediction was pronounced, the head 


540 


THE PILOT 


of Cecilia dropped on the shoulder of her husband, 
where she wept violently, for a moment, and then 
resuming her place at the couch, she once more 
knelt at the side of her uncle. Katherine received 
the warm kiss of Barnstable, passively, and re- 
turned slowly to the spot whence she had been 
led. 

Colonel Howard succeeded in raising his per- 
son to witness the ceremony, and had answered 
to each prayer with a fervent c amen.’ He fell 
back with the last words, and a look of satisfaction 
shone in his aged and pallid features, that declared 
the interest he had taken in the scene. 

u I thank you, my children,” he at length ut- 
tered, u I thank you, for 1 know how much you 
have sacrificed to my wishes. You will find all 
my papers relative to the estates of my wards, 
gentlemen, in the hands of my banker in London, 
and you will also find there my will, Edward, by 
which you will learn that Cicely has not come to 
your arms an unportioned bride. What my wards 
are in persons and manners your eyes can witness, 
and I trust the vouchers in London will show that 
I have not been an unfaithful steward to their pe- 
cuniary affairs 

u Name it not — say no more, or you will break 
my heart,” cried Katherine, sobbing aloud, in the 
violence of her remorse at having ever pained so 
true a friend. u Oh ! talk of yourself, think of 
yourself; we are unworthy — at least I am unwor- 
thy of another thought !” 

The dying man extended a hand to her in kind- 
ness, and continued, though his voice grew feebler 
as he spoke — 

“ Then to return to myself — I would wish to 
lie, like my ancestors, in the bosom of the earth' — 
and in consecrated ground.” 


THE PILOT. 


541 


u It shall be done,” whispered Griffith ; “ I will 
see it done myself.” 

“ I thank thee, my son,” said the veteran ; 16 for 
such thou art to me in being the husband of Cicely 
— you will find in my will, that I have liberated 
and provided for all my slaves — except those un- 
grateful scoundrels who deserted their master — 
they have seized their own freedom, and they 
need not he indebted to me for the same. There 
is, Edward, also an unworthy legacy to the King ; 
his Majesty will deign to receive it— from an old 
and faithful servant, and you will not miss the tri- 
fling gift.” A long pause followed, as if he had 
been summing up the account of his earthly duties, 
and found them duly balanced, when he added, 
u kiss me, Cicely — and you, Katherine — I find you 
Have the genuine feelings of honest Jack, your fa- 
ther. — My eyes grow dim — which is the hand of 
Griffith ? Young gentleman, I have given you all 
that a fond old man had to bestow — deal tenderly 
with the precious child — we have not properly un- 
derstood each other — I had mistaken both you and 
Mr. Christopher Dillon, I believe ; perhaps I may 
have also mistaken my duty to America — but I was 
too old to change my politics or my religion — I — I 
— I loved the King — God bless him — ” 

His words became fainter and fainter as he pro- 
ceeded, and the breath deserted his body with this 
benediction on his livid lips, which the proudest 
monarch might covet from so honest a man. 

The body was instantly borne into a state-room 
by the attendants, and Griffith and Barnstable sup- 
ported their brides into the after-cabin, where they 
left them seated on the sofa that lined the stern of 
the ship, weeping bitterly, in each other’s arms. 

No part of the preceding scene had been unob- 
served by Boltrope, whose small, hard eyes i were 

46 


542 


THE PILOT. 


observed by the young men to twinkle, when 
they returned into the state apartment, and they 
approached their wounded comrade to apologize 
for the seeming neglect that their conduct had dis- 
played. 

“ I heard you were hurt, Boltrope,” said Grif- 
fith, taking him kindly by the hand ; u but as I 
know you are not unused to being marked by shot, 
1 trust we shall soon see you again on deck. 

“ Ay, ay,” returned the master, u you’ll want 
no spy-glasses to see the old hulk as you launch it 
into the sea. I have had shot, as you say, before 
now to tear my running gear, and even to knock a 
splinter out of some of my timbers, but this fellow 
has found his way into my bread-room ; and the 
cruise of life is up !” 

“ Surely the case is not so bad, honest David,” 
said Barnstable ; “ you have kept afloat, to my 
knowledge, with a bigger hole in your skin than 
this unlucky hit has made !” 

u Ay, ay,” returned the master, u that was in 
my upper w 7 orks, where the doctor could get at it 
with a plug ; but this chap has knocked away the 
shifting-boards, and I feel as if the whole cargo 
was broken up. — You may say, that Tourniquei 
rates me all the same as a dead man, for after 
looking at the shot-hole, he has turned me over to 
the parson here, like a piece of old junk which is 
only fit to be w 7 orked up into something new. 
Captain Munson had a lucky time of it ! I think 
you said, Mr. Griffith, that the old gentleman w r as 
launched overboard with every thing standing, and 
that Death made but one rap at his door, before 
he took his leave !” 

u His end was mdeed sudden !” returned Grif- 
fith ; u but it is what we seamen must expect.” 

“ And for which there is so much the more 


THE PILOT. 


543 


occasion to be prepared,” the chaplain ventured to 
add, in a low, humble, and, perhaps, timid voice. 

The sailing-master looked keenly from one to 
the other as they spoke, and, after a short pause, 
he continued with an air of great submission — 

u ’Twas his luck; and I suppose it is sinful to 
begrudge a man his lawful luck. As for being pre- 
pared, parson, that is your business and not mine ; 
therefore, as there is but little time to spare, why, 
the sooner you set about it the better ; and to save 
unnecessary trouble, I may as well tell you not to 
strive to make too much of me, for, I must own it 
to my shame, I never took learning kindly. If you 
can tit me for some middling birth in the other 
world, like the one I hold in this ship, it will suit 
me as well, and, perhaps, be easier to all hands of 
us.” 

If there was a shade of displeasure, blended with 
the surprise, that crossed the features of the di- 
vine at this extraordinary limitation of his duties, 
it entirely disappeared when he considered, more 
closely, the perfect expression of simplicity with 
which the dying master uttered his wishes. After 
a long and melancholy pause, which neither Grif- 
fith nor his friend felt any inclination to interrupt, 
the chaplain replied — 

u It is not the province of man to determine on 
the degrees of the merciful dispensations of the 
Deity, and nothing that I can do, Mr. Boltrope, 
will have any weight in making up the mighty and 
irrevocable decree. What I said to you last night, 
in our conversation on this very subject, must still 
be fresh in your memory, and there is no good 
reason why I should hold a different language to 
you now.” 

“ I can’t say that I log’d all that pass’d,” re- 
turned the master, u and that which I do recollect 


544 


THE PILOT 


chiefly fell from myself, for the plain reason that a 
man remembers his own, better than his neigh- 
bour’s ideas. And this puts me in mind, Mr. Grif- 
fith, to tell you, that one of the forty-two’s from the 
three-deckef, travelled across the forecastle, and 
cut the best bower within a fathom of the clinch, 
as handily as an old woman would clip her rotten 
yarn with a pair of tailor’s shears ! — If you will be 
so good as to order one of my mates to shift the 
cable end-for-end, and make a new bend of it, I’ll 
do as much for you another time.” 

“ Mention it not,” said Griffith ; “ rest assured 
that every thing shall be done for the security of 
the ship in your department — I will superintend 
the whole duty in person ; and I would have you 
release your mind from all anxiety on the subject, 
to attend to your more important interests else- 
where.” 

u Why,” returned Boltrope, with a little show 
of pertinacity, u I have an opinion, that the clean- 
er a man takes hfe hands into the other world, of 
the matters of duty in this, the better he will be 
fitted to handle any thing new. — Now the parson, 
here, undertook to lay down the doctrine last 
night, that it was no matter how well or how ill a 
man behaved himself, so that he squared his con- 
science by the lifts and braces of faith, which I take 
to be ^doctrine that is not to be preach’d on ship- 
board, for it would play the devil with the best 
ship’s company that was ever mustered.” 

\ u Oh ! no — no — dear Mr. Boltrope, you mis- 
took me and my doctrine altogether !” exclaimed 
the chaplain ; “ at least you mistook — ” 

u Perhaps, sir,” interrupted Griffith, gently, 
tc our honest friend will not be more fortunate 
now. Is there nothing earthly that hangs upon 
your mind, Boltrope ( no wish to be remembered 


THE PILOT. 


545 


to any one, nor any bequest to make of your pro- 
perty ?” ... * 

“ He has a mother, I know,” said Barnstable 
in a low voice ; “ he often spoke of her to me in 
the night watches ; I think she must still be living .’ 5 

The master, who distinctly heard his young 
shipmates, continued for more than a minute roll- 
ing the tobacco, which he still retained, from one 
side of \is mouth to the other, with an industry 
that denoted singular agitation for the man, and 
raising one of his broad hands, with the other 
he picked the worn skin from fingers which were 
already losing their brownish yellow hue in the 
fading colour of death, before he answered — 

“ Why, yes, the old woman still keeps her grip 
upon life, which is more than can be said of her 
son David. The old man was lost the time the 
Susan and Dorothy was wrecked on the back of 
Cape Cod ; you remember it, Mr. Barnstable ? you 
were then a lad, sailing on whaling voyages from 
the island ! well, ever since that gale, I’ve endea- 
voured to make smooth water for the old woman 
myself, though she has had but a rough passage 
of it, at the best ; the voyage of life, with her, hav- 
ing been pretty much crossed by rugged weather 
and short stores.” 

“ And you would have us carry some message 
to her ?” said Griffith, kindly. 

“ Why, as to messages,” continued the master, 
whose voice was rapidly growing more husky and 
broken, “ there never has been many compliments 
— passed between us, for the reason — that she is 
not more used to receive them — than I am to make 
them. But if any one of you will overhaul — the 
purser’s books, and see what there is standing there 
— to my side of the leaf — and take a little pains to 
get it to the old woman — you will find her moor’d in 

46 * 


546 


THE PILOT - 


the lee side of a house — ay, here it is, No. 10, 
Cornhill, Boston. I took care— to get her a good 
warm birth, seeing that a woman of eighty wants 
a snug anchorage — at her time of life, if s^er.” 
u I will do it myself, David,” cried Barnstable, 
struggling to conceal his emotion ; “ I will call on 
her the instant we let go our anchor in Boston 
harbour, and as your credit can’t be large, I will di- 
vide my own purse with her !” 

The sailing-master was powerfully affected by 
this kind offer, the muscles of his hard weather- 
beaten face working convulsively, and it was a 
moment before he could trust his voice in reply. 

u I know you would, Dickey, I know you 
would,” he at length uttered, grasping the hand of 
Barnstable with a portion of his former strength ; 
“ I know you would give the old woman one of 
your own limbs, if it w^ould do a service — to the 
mother of a messmate — which it would not — see- 
ing that I am not the son of a — cannibal ; but you 
are out of your own father’s books, and it’s too of- 
ten shoal w r ater in your pockets to help any one 
— more especially .since you have just been spliced 
to a pretty young body — that will want all your 
spare coppery.” 

“ But I ata master of my ow r n fortune,” said 
Griffith, “ and am rich.” 

“ Ay, ay, I have heard it said you could build 
a frigate and set her afloat all a-taunt-o without 
thrusting your hand — into any man’s purse — but 
your own !” 

“And I pledge you the honour of a naval officer,” 
continued the young sailor, “ that she shall want 
for nothing ; not even the care and tenderness of 
a dutiful son.” 

Boltrope appeared to be choking; he made an 
attempt to raise his exhausted frame on the couch, 


THE PILOT* 


547 


but fell back exhausted and dying, perhaps a little 
prematurely, through the powerful and unusual 
emotions that were struggling for utterance. “ God 
forgive my misdeeds !” he at length said, u and 
chiefly for ever speaking a word against your 
disciplyne ; remember the best bower — and look 
to the slings of the lower yards — and — and — he’ll 
do it Dicky, he’ll do it ! I’m casting off — the fasts 
— of life — and so God bless ye all — and give ye 
good weather — going large — or on a bowline !” 

The tongue of the master failed him, but a look 
of heart-felt satisfaction gleamed across his rough 
visage, as its muscles suddenly contracted, when 
the faded lineaments slowly settled into the ap- 
palling stiffness of death. 

Griffith directed the body to be removed to the 
apartment of the Master, and proceeded with a 
heavy heart to the upper deck. The Alacrity had 
been unnoticed during the arduous chase of the 
frigate, and favoured by day-light, and her light 
draught of water, she had easily effected her es- 
cape also among the mazes of the shoals. She was 
called down to her consort by signal, and received 
the necessary instructions how to steer during 
the approaching night. The British ships were 
now only to be faintly discovered, like small white 
specks on the dark sea, and as it was known that 
a broad barrier of shallow water lay between them, 
the Americans no longer regarded their presence 
as at all dangerous. 

When the necessary orders had been given, and 
the vessels were fully prepared, they were once 
more brought up to the wind, and their heads point- 
ed in the direction of the coast of Holland. The 
wind which freshened towards the decline of day 
hauled round with the sun, and when that luminary 
retreated from the eye, so rapid had been the pro- 


548 


THE PILOT. 


gress of the mariners, it seemed to sink in the bo- 
som of the ocean, the iand having long before set* 
tied into its watery bed. All night the frigate con- 
tinued to dash through the seas with a s^ t of sul- 
len silence, that was soothing to the melancholy 
of Cecilia and Katherine, neither of whom closed 
an eye during that gloomy period. In addition to 
the scene they had witnessed, their feelings were 
harrowed by the knowledge that, in conformity to 
the necessary plans of Griffith, and in compliance 
with the new duties he had assumed, they were 
to separate in the morning for an indefinite period, 
and possibly for ever. 

With the appearance of light, the boatswain sent 
his rough summons through the vessel, and the 
crew were collected in solemn silence in her gang- 
ways, to c bury the dead.’ The bodies of Bolt- 
rope, of one or two of her inferior officers, and of 
several common men who had died of their wounds 
in the night, were, with the usual formalities, com- 
mitted to the deep ; when the yards of the ship 
were again braced by the wind, and she glided 
along the trackless waste, leaving no memorial in 
the midst of the ever-rolling waters, to mark the 
place of their sepulture. 

When the sun had gained the meridian the ves* 
sels were once more hove-to, and the prepara* 
tions were made for a final separation. The body 
of Colonel Howard was transferred to the Alacrh 
ty, whither it was followed by Griffith and his 
cheerless bride, while Katherine hung fondly from 
a window of the ship, suffering her own scalding 
tears to mingle with the brine of the ocean. After 
every thing was arranged, Griffith waved his hand 
to Barnstable, who had now succeeded to the com- 
mand of the frigate, and the yards of the latter 
were braced sharp to the wind, when she proceed 


THE PILOT. 


549 


ed to the dangerous experiment of forcing her way 
to the shores of America, by attempting the pass 
of the streights of Dover, and running the gaunt- 
let through the English ships that crowded their 
own channel ; an undertaking, however, for which 
she had the successful example of the Alliance fri- 
gate, which had borne the stars of America along the 
same hazardous path but a few months previously. 

In the meanwhile the Alacrity, steering more to 
the west, drew in swiftly towards the shores of 
Holland, and about an hour before the setting of 
the sun, had approached so nigh as to be once more 
hove into the wind, in obedience to the mandate 
of Griffith. A small light boat was lowered into 
the sea, when the young sailor, and the pilot, who 
had found his way into the cutter unheeded, and 
almost unseen, ascended from the small cabin to- 
gether. The stranger glanced his eyes along the 
range of coast, as if he would ascertain the exact 
position of the vessel, and then turned them on the 
sea and the western horizon to scan the weather. 
Finding nothing in the appearance of the latter to 
induce him to change his determination, he offered 
his hand frankly to Griffith, and said — 

“ Here we part. As our acquaintance has not 
led to all we wished, let it be your task, sir, to for- 
get we ever met.” 

Griffith bowed respectfully, but in silence, when 
the other continued, shaking his hand contemptu- 
ously towards the land — 

“ Had I but a moiety of the navy of that dege- 
nerate republic, the proudest among those haughty 
islanders should tremble in his castle, and be made 
to feel there is no security against a foe that trusts 
his own strength and knows the weakness of his 
enemy! But,” he muttered in a lower and more 
hurried voice, “ this has been like Liverpool, and 


550 


THE PILOT. 


— Whitehaven — and Edinburgh, and fifty more ! 
it is past, sir ; let it be forgotten.” 

Without heeding the wondering crew, who were 
collected as curious spectators of his departure, the 
stranger bowed hastily to Griffith, and springing 
into the boat, he spread her light sail with the rea- 
diness of one who had nothing to learn even in 
the smallest matters of his daring profession. Once 
more, as the boat moved briskly away from the 
cutter, he waved his hand in adieu, and Griffith 
fancied, that even through the distance he could 
trace a smile of bitter resignation, lighting his calm 
features with a momentary gleam. For a long time 
the young man stood an abstracted gazer at his so- 
litary progress, watching the small boat as it glided 
towards the open ocean, nor did he remember to 
order the head sheets of the Alacrity drawn, in or- 
der to put the vessel again in motion, until the 
dark speck was lost in the strong glare that fell 
obliquely across the water from the setting sun. 

Many wild and extraordinary conjectures were 
uttered among the crew of the cutter, as she slow- 
ly drew in towards her friendly haven, on the ap- 

E earance of the mysterious pilot, during their late 
azardous visit to the coast of Britain, and on his 
still more extraordinary disappearance, as it were, 
amid the stormy wastes of the North sea. Griffith 
himself was not observed to smile, nor to manifest 
any other evidence of his being a listener to their 
rude discourse, until it was loudly announced that 
a small boat was seen pressing for their own har- 
bour, across the fore foot of the cutter, under a sin- 
gle lug-sail. Then, indeed, the sudden and cheer- 
ful lighting of his troubled eye might have be- 
trayed, to more accurate observers, the vast relief 
that was imparted to his feelings by the interesting 
discovery. 


CHAPTER XXXIY. 


Come all you kindred chieftains of the deep 1 
In mighty phalanx round your brother bend ; 
Hush every murmur that invades his sleep — 

And guard the laurels that o’ershado your friend. 

Lines on Tripp. 


Here, perhaps, it would be wise to suffer the 
curtain of our imperfect drama to fall before the 
reader, trusting that the imagination of every indi- 
vidual can readily supply the due proportions of 
health, wealth, and happiness, that the rigid rules 
of poetic justice would award to the different 
characters of the legend. But as we are not dis- 
posed to part so coldly from those with whom we 
have long held amicable intercourse, and as there 
is no portion of that in reservation which is not 
quite as true as all that has been already related, 
we see no unanswerable reason for dismissing the 
dramatis personas so abruptly. W e shall therefore 
proceed to state briefly, the outlines of that which 
befel them in after life, regretting, at the same 
time, that the legitimate limits of a modern tale 
will not admit of such a dilatation of many a merry 
or striking scene, as might create the pleasing 
hope of beholding hereafter some more of our 
rude sketches quickened into life by the spirited 
pencil of Dunlap. 

Following the course of the frigate, then, to- 


652 


THE PILOT. 


wards those shores, from which, perhaps, we should 
never have suffered our truant pen to have wander- 
ed, we shall commence the brief task with Barn- 
stable, and his laughing, weeping, gay, but affec- 
tionate, bride — the black-eyed Katherine. The 
ship fought her way, gallantly, through swarms of 
the enemy’s cruisers, to the port of Boston, where 
Barnstable was rewarded for his services by pro- 
motion, and a more regular authority to command 
his vessel. 

During the remainder of the war, he continued 
to fill that station with ability and zeal, nor did he 
return to the dwelling of his fathers, which he soon 
inherited, by regular descent, until after peace 
had established not only the independence of his 
country, but his own reputation, as a brave and 
successful sea-officer. When the Federal Govern- 
ment laid the foundation of its present navy, Cap- 
tain Barnstable was once more tempted by the 
offer of a new commission to desert his home; and 
for many years he was employed among that band 
of gallant seamen who served their county so 
faithfully in times of trial and high daring. Hap- 
pily, however, he was enabled to accomplish a 
great deal of the more peaceful part of his service 
accompanied by Katherine, who, having no chil- 
dren, eagerly profited by his consent to share his 
privations and hardships on the ocean. In this 
manner they passed merrily, and we trust happily, 
down the vale of life together, Katherine entirely 
discrediting the ironical prediction of her former 
guardian, by making, every thing considered,' a 
very obedient, and certainly, so far as attachment 
was concerned, a most devoted wife. 

The boy Merry, who in due time became a 
man, clung to Barnstable and Katherine, so long 
as it was necessary to hold him in leading strings ; 


THE PILOT. 


553 


and when he received his regular promotion, his 
first command was under the shadow of his kins- 
man’s broad pendant. He proved to be in his 
meridian, what his youth had so strongly indicated, 
a fearless, active, and reckless sailor, and his years 
might have extended to this hour, had he not 
fallen untimely in a duel with a foreign officer. 

The first act of Captain Manual, after landing 
once more on his native soil, was f j make interest 
to be again restored to the line of the army. He 
encountered but little difficulty in this attempt, 
and was soon in possession of the complete enjoy- 
ment of that which his soul had so long pined after, 
“ a steady drill.” He was in time to share in all 
the splendid successes which terminated the war, 
and also to participate in his due proportion of the 
misery of the army. His merits were not forgot- 
ten, however, in the reorganization of the forces, 
and he followed both St. Clair and his more fortu- 
nate successor, Wayne, in the western campaigns. 
About the close of the century, when the British 
made their tardy relinquishment of the line of posts 
along the frontiers, Captain Manual was ordered 
to take charge, with his company, of a small stock- 
ade on our side of one of those mighty rivers that 
sets bounds to the territories of the Republic in the 
north. The British flag was waving over the 
ramparts of a more regular fortress, that had been 
recently built, directly opposite, within the new 
lines of the Canadas. Manual was not a man to 
neglect the observances of military etiquette, and 
understanding that the neighbouring fort was com- 
manded by a field officer, he did not fail to wait on 
that gentleman, in proper time, with a view to 
cultivate the sort of acquaintance that their mu- 
tual situations would render not only agreeable, 
but highly convenient. The American martinet 

47 


554 


THE PILOT. 


in ascertaining the rank of the other, had not 
deemed it at all necessary to ask his name, but 
when the red-faced, comical-looking officer with 
one leg, who met him, was introduced as Major 
Borroughcliffe, he had not the least difficulty in 
recalling to recollection his quondam acquaintance 
of St. Ruth. The intercourse between these wor- 
thies was renewed with remarkable gusto, and at 
length arrived to so regular a pass, that a log cabin 
was erected on one of the islands in the river, as a 
sort of neutral territory, where their feastings and 
revels might be held without any scandal to the 
discipline of their respective garrisons. Here the 
qualities of many a saddle of savory venison were 
discussed, together with those of sundry pleasant 
fowls, as well as of divers strange beasts that in- 
habit those western wilds, while, at the same time, 
the secret places of the broad river were vexed, 
that nothing might be wanting that could contribute 
to the pleasures of their banquets. A most equita- 
ble levy was regularly made on their respective 
pockets, to sustain the foreign expenses of this ami- 
cable warfare, and a suitable division of labour was 
also imposed on the two Commandants, in order 
to procure such articles of comfort as were only to 
be obtained from those portions of the globe where 
the art of man had made a nearer approach to the 
bounties of nature than in the vicinity of their 
fortifications. All liquids in which malt formed an 
ingredient, as well as the deep-coloured wines of 
Oporto, were suffered to enter the Gulf of St. Law- 
rence, and were made to find their way, under the 
superintendence of Borroughcliffe, to their destined 
goal ; but Manual was, solely, entrusted with the 
more important duty of providing the generous li- 
quor of Madeira, without any other restriction on 
his judgment, than an occasional injunction from 


THE PILOT. 


555 


his coadjutor, that it should not fail to be the pro- 
duct of the “ South- side ! ,J 

It was not unusual for the younger officers of the 
two garrisons to allude to the battle in which Ma- 
jor Borroughcliffe had lost his limb — the English 
ensign invariably whispering to the American on 
such occasions; that it occurred during the late 
contest, in a desperate affair on the North Eastern 
coast of their island, in which the major command- 
ant in behalf of his country, with great credit and 
signal success ; and for which service he obtained 
his present rank u without purchase !” A sort of 
national courtesy prevented the two veterans, for 
by this time both had earned that honourable title, 
from participating at all in these delicate allusions ; 
though whenever, by any accident, they occurred 
near the termination of the revels, Borroughcliffe 
would so far betray his consciousness of what was 
passing, as to favour his American friend with a 
leer of singular significance, which generally pro- 
duced in the other that sort of dull recollection, 
which all actors and painters endeavour to repre- 
sent by scratching the head. In this manner year 
after year rolled by, the most perfect harmony ex- 
isting between the two posts, notwithstanding the 
angry passions that disturbed their respective 
countries, when an end was suddenly put to the 
intercourse by the unfortunate death of Manual. 
This rigid observer of discipline never trusted his 
person on the neutral island without being accom- 
panied by a party of his warriors, who were post- 
ed as a regular picket, sustaining a suitable line of 
sentries ; a practice which he also recommended 
to his friend, as being highly conducive to disci- 
pline, as well as a salutary caution against a sur- 
prise on the part of either garrison. The major, 
however, dispensed with the formality in his own 


556 


THE PILOT. 


behalf, but was sufficiently good-natured to wink 
at the want ,of confidence it betrayed in his boon 
companion. On one unhappy occasion, when the 
discussions of a new importation had made a heavy 
inroad on the morning, Manual left the hut to make 
his way towards his picket, in such a state of ut- 
ter mental aberration, as to forget the countersign 
when challenged by a sentinel, when, unhappily, 
he met his death by a shot from a soldier, whom 
he drilled to such an exquisite state of insensibi- 
lity, that the man cared but little whether he kill- 
ed friend or enemy, so long as he kept within 
military usage, and the hallowed limits established 
by the articles of war. He lived long enough, 
however, to commend the fellow for the deed, and 
died while delivering an eulogium to Borrough- 
cliffe on the high state of perfection to which he 
had brought his command ! 

About a year before this melancholy event, a 
quarter cask of wine had been duly ordered from 
the South side of the island of Madeira, which 
was, at the death of Manual, toiling its weary waj 
up the rapids of the Mississippi and the Ohio : 
having been made to enter by the port of New- 
Orleans, with the intention of keeping it as long 
as possible under a genial sun ! The untimely 
fate of his friend imposed on Borroughcliffe the 
necessity of attending to this precious relick of 
their mutual tastes; and he procured a leave 
of absence from his superior, with the laudable 
desire to proceed down the streams and superin- 
tend its farther advance in person. The result 
of his zeal was a high fever, that set in the day 
after he reached his treasure, and as the doctor 
and the major espoused different theories, in 
treating a disorder so dangerous in that climate ; 
the one advising abstemiousness, and the other ad- 


THE PILOT. 


557 


ministering repeated draughts of the cordial that 
had drawn him so far from home, the disease was 
left to act its pleasure. Borroughcliffe died in 
three days ; and was carried back and interred by 
the side of his friend, in the very hut which had 
so often resounded with their humours and festi- 
vities ! W e have been thus particular in relating 
the sequel of the lives of these rival chieftains, be- 
cause, from their want of connexion with any kind 
heart of the other sex, no widows and orphans 
were left to lament their several ends, and further- 
more, as they were both mortal, and might be ex- 
pected to die at a suitable period, and yet did not 
terminate their career until each had attained the 
mature age of three-score, the reader can find no 
just grounds of dissatisfaction at being allowed 
this deep glance into the womb of fate. 

The chaplain abandoned the seas in time to re- 
trieve his character, a circumstance which gave 
no little satisfaction to Katherine, who occasion- 
ally annoyed her worthy husband on the subject 
of the informality of their marriage. 

Griffith and his mourning bride conveyed the 
body of Colonel Howard in safety to one of the 
principal towns in Holland, where it was respect- 
fully and sorrowfully interred ; after which the 
young man removed to Paris, with the view of eras- 
ing the sad images, which the hurried and melan- 
choly events of the few preceding days had left on 
the mind of his lovely companion. From this place 
Cecilia held communion, by letter, with her friend 
Alice Dunscombe, and such suitable provision was 
made in the affairs of her late uncle as the times 
would permit. Afterwards, when Griffith obtained 
the command which had been offered him, before 
sailing on the cruise in the North Sea, they re- 

47 * 


558 


THE PILOT. 


turned together to America. The young man 
continued a sailor until the close of the year, 
when he entirely withdrew from the ocean, and 
devoted the remainder of his life to the conjoint 
duties of a husband and a good citizen. 

As it was easy to reclaim the estates of Colonel 
Howard, which, in fact, had been abandoned more 
from pride than necessity, and which had never 
been confiscated, their joint inheritances made the 
young couple extremely affluent, and we shall here 
take occasion to say, that Griffith remembered his 
promise to the dying master, and saw such a pro- 
vision made for the childless mother, as her situa- 
tion and his character required. 

It might have been some twelve years after the 
short cruise, which it has been our task to record 
in these volumes, that Griffith, who was running 
his eyes carelessly over a file of newspapers, was 
observed by his wife to drop the bundle from be* 
fore his face, and pass his hand slowly across his 
brow, like a man who had been suddenly struck 
with renewed impressions of some former event, 
or who was endeavouring to recall to his mind 
images that had long since faded. . 

a See you any thing in that paper to disturb 
you, Griffith ?” said the still lovely Cecilia. “ I 
hope that now we have our confederate govern- 
ment, the States will soon recover from their loss- 
es — -but it is one of those plans to create a new 
navy, that has met your eye ! Ah ! truant ! you 
sigh to become a wanderer again, and pine after 
your beloved ocean !” 

“ I have ceased sighing and pining since you 
have begun to smile,” he returned, with a vacant 
manner, and without removing his hand from his 
brow. 


THE PILOT. 


559 


“ Is not the new order of things, then, likely to 
succeed ? Does the Congress enter into contention 
with the President ?” 

“ The wisdom and name of Washington will 
smooth the way for the experiment, until time 
shall mature the system. Cecilia, do you remem- 
ber the man who accompanied Manual and my sell 
to St. Ruth, the night we became your uncle’s pri- 
soners, and who afterwards led the party which 
liberated us, and rescued Barnstable ?” 

“ Surely I do ; he was the pilot of your ship, it 
was then said ; and I remember th*> shrewd sol- 
dier we entertained even suspected that he was 
one greater than he seemed.” 

“ The soldier surmised the truth: but you saw 
him not on that fearful night, when he carried us 
through the shoals ! and you could not witness the 
calm courage with which he guided the ship into 
those very channels again, while the confusion of 
battle was among us !” 

“ I heard the dreadful din ! And I can easily 
imagine the horrid scene,” returned his wife, her 
recollections chasing the colour from her cheeks 
even at that distance of time ; “ but what of him ? 
is his name mentioned in those papers ? Ah ! they 
are English prints ! you called his name Gray, if 
I remember?” 

“ That was the name he bore with us ! he was 
a man who had formed romantic notions of glory, 
and wished every thing concealed in which he act- 
ed a part that he thought would not contribute to 
his renown. It has been, therefore, in compliance 
with a solemn promise made at the time, that I 
have ever avoided mentioning his name — he is 
now dead 1” 

“ Can there have been any connexion between 
him and Alice Dunscombe?” said. Cecilia, drop- 


560 


THE PILOT. 


ping her work in her lap, in a thoughtful manner. 
u She met him alone at her own urgent request, 
the night Katherine and myself saw you in your 
confinement, and even then my cousin whispered 
that they were acquainted ! The letter I received 
yesterday, from Alice, was sealed with black, and 
I was pained with the melancholy, though gentle 
manner, in which she wrote of passing from this 
world into another !” 

Griffith glanced his eye at his wife, with a look 
of sudden intelligence, and then answered like one 
who began to see with the advantages of a clearer 
atmosphere. 

“ Cecilia, your conjecture is surely true ! Fifty 
things rush to my head at that one surmise — his 
acquaintance with that particular spot — his early 
life — his expedition — his knowledge of the abbey, 
all confirm it ! He, altogether, was indeed a man 
of marked character !” 

“ Why has he not been among us ?” asked Ce- 
cilia ; “ he appeared devoted to our cause.” 

“His devotion to America proceeded from de- 
sire of distinction, his ruling passion, and perhaps 
a little also from resentment at some injustice 
which he claimed to have suffered from his own 
countrymen. He was a man, and not therefore 
without foibles — among which may have been 
reckoned the estimation of his own acts ; but they 
were most daring, and deserving of praise! nei- 
ther did he at all merit the obloquy that he re- 
ceived from his enemies. His love of liberty may 
be more questionable; for if he commenced his 
deeds in the cause of these free States, they ter- 
minated in the service of a despot! He is now 
dead — but had he lived in times and under circum- 
stances, when his consummate knowledge of his 
profession, his cool, deliberate, and even desperate 


THE PILOT. 


561 


courage could have been exercised in a regular 
and well-supported Navy, and bad tbe habits of his 
youth better qualified him to have borne, meekly, 
the honours he acquired in his age, he would have 
left behind him no name in its lists that would 
have descended to the latest posterity of his adopt- 
ed countrymen with greater renown !” 

“ Why, Griffith,” exclaimed Cecilia, in a little 
surprise, “you are zealous in his cause! Who 
was he ?” 

“ A man who held a promise of secrecy while 
living, which is not at all released by his death. 
It is enough to know, that he was greatly instru- 
mental in procuring our sudden union, and that 
our happiness might have been wrecked in the 
voyage of life had we not met the unknown pilot 
of the German Ocean.” 

Perceiving her husband to rise, and carefully 
collect the papers in a bundle, before he left the 
room, Cecilia made no further remark at the time 
nor was the subject ever revived between them. 


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